Manila, Philippines – Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Timor Leste Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas discussed deepening bilateral cooperation between East Timor and the Philippines.
Under the bilateral meeting held in Pasay City on Wednesday, the possibility of expanding people-to-people ties, and additional job opportunities between the two countries, particularly in the fields of education, administration, entrepreneurship and engineering, were among the highlights of the state visit.
Expanding political exchange is now also included in the bilateral meeting of the two foreign affairs officials.
Lazaro also thanked East Timor for hosting about 1,500 Filipinos in the country.
The East Timorese official also expressed support for the Philippines’ position on the South China Sea.
Next week, East Timor will formally become part of the ASEAN regional bloc.
They are the 11th member of ASEAN.
So, part of Freitas’ working visit to Southeast Asian countries is to thank ASEAN members.
It was May 20, 2002 when Timor-Leste became an independent country from being a province of Indonesia.
Next year, the Philippines will host the ASEAN Summit 2026, where East Timor will be among the delegations.—Alvin Pelobello, Eurotv News