Vietnam and Timor-Leste explore potential for cooperation in agriculture and fisheries

At the invitation of President To Lam, President of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos-Horta led a high-level delegation on a state visit to Vietnam from July 31 to August 3, 2024. Following the welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace on the morning of August 1, President To Lam held talks with President of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos-Horta to evaluate the cooperation results over the years, and discuss orientations for collaboration in the immediate future. 

President To Lam extended a warm welcome to President Jose Ramos-Horta and emphasized that his third visit to Vietnam will contribute significantly to creating new momentum for bilateral cooperation. He expressed gratitude for the support provided to Vietnam by the leadership and people of Timor-Leste.

The two leaders shared their satisfaction at the remarkable progress in bilateral relations between Vietnam and Timor-Leste, complemented by the effective maintenance of high-level exchanges and meetings. In addition, economic and trade cooperation activities between both countries achieved encouraging results, with bilateral trade turnover promising to surpass the 15.9 million USD mark of 2023. The effective investment and business activities helmed by Viettel Group (Telemor) have positively contributed to the economic and social development of Timor-Leste.

Regarding major directions for future cooperation, both countries agreed to enhance high-level exchanges and meetings; effectively implement the Framework Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation, and organize the first meeting of the Vietnam-Timor-Leste Joint Committee at the Ministerial level in the near future. They also agreed to explore and establish new bilateral mechanisms with regards to the cooperation needs of both countries.

President To Lam affirmed Vietnam's willingness to continue supplying rice, thereby contributing to food security in Timor-Leste. President To Lam suggested both parties to extend or sign a new Memorandum of Understanding on Rice Trade. He encouraged Timor-Leste to increase imports of high-quality Vietnamese products such as textiles, footwear, beverages, dairy products, processed foods, agricultural and fishery products. He also proposed Timor-Leste to promptly ratify the Bilateral Trade Agreement between the two countries (signed in 2013), and to support Vietnamese businesses in expanding their operations within the country.

With gratitude for President To Lam’s valuable insights on Vietnam’s development and international integration progress, President Jose Ramos-Horta agreed to closely cooperate and create new momentum in economic, trade, and investment relations between the two countries. He also supports expanding cooperation in fields with significant potential, including agriculture, fisheries, forest resource exploitation, mineral and metal ore processing, among many others. President Ramos-Horta expressed appreciation and hoped that Vietnam will continue sharing experience and assisting Timor-Leste in developing human resources, ensuring food security, and alleviating poverty.

Both leaders agreed to effectively utilize potential cooperation in other important sectors, with an emphasis on agriculture, fisheries, telecommunications, education, oil and gas, infrastructure development, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

Regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern, Vietnam and Timor-Leste agreed to continue enhancing cooperation and supporting international and regional organizations. President To Lam praised Timor-Leste’s determination and efforts in implementing the "Timor-Leste Roadmap to Full ASEAN Membership" and affirmed Vietnam’s support for Timor-Leste’s prompt accession to ASEAN. President Ramos-Horta confirmed Timor-Leste’s full support for Vietnam’s candidacies in multilateral mechanisms, including the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations Human Rights Council, and other international organizations.

Regarding the East Sea, Vietnam and Timor-Leste committed to maintaining peace, stability, and ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region. They pledged to resolve disputes through peaceful means in compliance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They also committed to fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC), negotiating the Code of Conduct (COC), and contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, and development in the region. 

This event marks President José Ramos-Horta's second visit to Vietnam, following his first visit in 2010; and his fourth visit to Vietnam as a high-level leader from Timor-Leste.

Following the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Timor-Leste on July 28, 2002, both countries have made significant progress in their multifaceted partnership and cooperation. Vietnam and Timor-Leste have consistently maintained a close and supportive relationship on the international stage. The leadership of both nations have regularly held high-level meetings.