Official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Timor Leste to Malaysia

The minister of Foreign AffairsDato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, hosted the official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of East Timor, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, to Malaysia from June 24 to 26, 2024.

The two foreign ministers met on June 25, 2024, during which both sides expressed their commitment to further strengthen existing bilateral ties and agreed to explore new areas of cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, education superior and connectivity. They also exchanged notes on an agreement by the Government of the Democratic Republic of East Timor to grant a parcel of land to the Government of Malaysia as a gesture of appreciation for Malaysia’s continued assistance and contributions to East Timor. This plot of land will allow Malaysia to build its new Foreign Ministry building and an official residence in Dili.

Thailand and Singapore hold the 14th Civil Servants Exchange Program (CSEP)

Previously, Minister Bendito Freitas visited the PETRONAS Twin Towers to receive briefings on PETRONAS’ oil and gas exploration activities. He also paid a courtesy call on Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook, which was followed by the signing of an Air Services Agreement (ASA) between Malaysia and East Timor. This agreement will improve cooperation in air services and boost connectivity between people.

Both sides expressed their commitment to further strengthen existing bilateral ties and agreed to explore new areas of cooperation.

Bound by warm and friendly ties since Timor-Leste’s independence on 20 May 2002, the partnership has been further strengthened by this visit. In 2023, total bilateral trade between Malaysia and Timor-Leste was USD43.7 million (RM196.7 million). Malaysia’s total exports to Timor-Leste in 2023 were recorded at USD43.3 million (RM195.0 million), while total imports from Timor-Leste amounted to USD0.4 million (RM1.7 million).