The Philippines reaffirmed its close ties and bilateral relations with Timor-Leste, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Sunday.

This development came after Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro met with Timor-Leste Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito dos Santos Freitas during a bilateral meeting held on 22 October in Manila. This marks Minister Freitas’ second visit to the Philippines since assuming office as Timor-Leste’s chief diplomat in 2023.

During their meeting, both officials discussed a wide range of bilateral issues, including high-level exchanges, legal cooperation, educational linkages, tourism and agricultural collaboration, and capacity-building programs for Timorese civil servants.

Lazaro reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s development through technical assistance and knowledge-sharing programs.

Recent initiatives include training workshops in Dili on regional biodiversity frameworks and the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, both organized by the Philippine Foreign Service Institute (FSI) in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The two ministers also agreed to convene the 2nd Policy Consultation Meeting between their foreign ministries. The platform aims to enhance existing cooperative frameworks and identify new areas of mutual benefit between the two Southeast Asian nations.

Lazaro and Freitas likewise exchanged views on regional and international issues, including developments within ASEAN and the situation in the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines and Timor-Leste enjoy a longstanding partnership rooted in mutual respect and regional solidarity. Formal diplomatic relations between the two nations were established on 20 May 2002, coinciding with the restoration of Timor-Leste’s independence.

At present, Timor-Leste is home to more than 1,500 Filipinos, many of whom work in education, administration, entrepreneurship, and engineering, further strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Both governments reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting peace, development, and regional cooperation in Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, Lazaro accompanied President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on a four-day visit to attend the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits, scheduled from 26 to 28 October in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Among the highlights of the summit is the signing of the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN as its 11th member.

ASEAN currently comprises 10 member states: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.