Timor Leste President Makes First State Visit to Bangladesh

President José Ramos-Horta embarked on his historic state visit to Bangladesh from December 14 to December 17, 2024, signifying a strengthening of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Honorable Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus welcomed President Ramos-Horta with full state honors when he arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. 

Ahead of his visit, President Ramos-Horta had said, “This historic visit to Bangladesh represents more than just a diplomatic engagement – it is a testament to the enduring friendship between our nations and Bangladesh’s crucial role in supporting Timor-Leste’s journey to peace and stability.” He added, “As we strengthen our bilateral ties, we look forward to exploring new avenues of cooperation that will benefit both our peoples and contribute to regional prosperity.”

President Ramos-Horta and Honorable Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammed Yunus engaged in a private meeting, followed by bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries. The leaders also witnessed the signing of a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on “Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM)” and an agreement on the “Exemption from Visa Requirement for the Diplomatic and Official or Service Passport holders”.  

During the visit, the leaders discussed advancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas such as trade and investment, air services, cultural exchange, education, professional and diplomatic training, disaster management, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and poverty alleviation. They also spoke about the possibilities of enhancing higher educational experiences through student exchange programs, faculty exchange, research projects, and joint master’s and doctoral programs. 

Another key point of discussion was the possibility of issuing a long-term stay permit and work permit for Bangladeshi nationals residing in Timor-Leste. There are currently 200 to 300 Bangladeshis living in Timor-Leste.