In a first-ever visit by any Bangladesh foreign minister, Dr Ak Abdul Momen visited Timor Leste on Monday and Tuesday to enhance bilateral ties.
He met the president, prime minister, acting foreign minister and the health minister and discussed ways of increasing bilateral engagements and sought specific support for the Rohingya issue.
Timor Leste showed interest to collaborate in the areas of health, education, training, food security and climate.
Timor-Leste, which won independence on May 20, 2002, as a Southeast Asian country, has become a member of the Asean with effect from January 2025.
Asean's role in resolving the Rohingya crisis is being seen as critical since Myanmar is also a member of this 10-countries bloc.
Bangladeshi peacekeepers were deployed to Timor Leste during the stabilization period under the UN Peacekeeping Mission.
Meeting with the president
The foreign ministry said Dr Momen paid a courtesy call on the legendary figure President of Timor Leste J Ramos Horta at the latter's official residence on Monday.
President Horta warmly welcomed the foreign minister and his delegation.
Bangladesh and Timor Leste had showcased to the world the similar courage, sacrifice, struggle and leadership for independence, he pointed out.
He praised the personal courage and leadership of President Ramos Horta and mentioned Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman under whose charismatic leadership Bangladesh was liberated in 1971.
President Ramos Horta fondly recollected his memory to visit the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum during his visit to Bangladesh in 2014.
Dr Momen sought support of President Ramos Horta on the Rohingya issue. President Ramos Horta expressed his solidarity with Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue, the foreign ministry said.
On the common challenge like climate change President Horta appreciated Bangladesh’s leadership role and expressed keenness to work collaboratively on the climate change issue.
The foreign minister extended an invitation to President Ramos Horta to visit Bangladesh and deliver a lecture at Bangladesh Foreign Service Academy as part of “Bangabandhu Lecture Series”.
Meeting with the prime minister
Dr Momen had a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister of Timor Leste Kay Rala Xanama Gusmao on Tuesday at the latter’s office in Dili.
“Bangladesh and the people of Bangladesh are in the heart of the people of Timor Leste,” Prime Minister of Timor Leste made this remark at the outset.
Expressing his appreciation to the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister Gusmao commented: “I need to learn from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina how to ensure food security for 170 million people and ensure their economic and social wellbeing.”
The foreign minister pointed out that the socio-economic successes, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, were not a mere accident but due to her commitment and targeted approach.
Prime Minister of Timor Leste expressed his keen interest to collaborate in the areas of health, education, training, food security and climate change when the foreign minister mentioned those opportunities to collaborate bilaterally.
On the Rohingya issue, the prime minister expressed his solidarity with Bangladesh and highlighted some practical challenges to resolve the crisis.
“The foreign minister warmly welcomed the decision when the Prime Minister of Timor Leste expressed his willingness to visit Bangladesh next year,” the foreign ministry said.
Meeting with acting foreign minister
Foreign Minister Dr Momen held bilateral talks with the acting foreign minister of Timor Leste Dr Agio Pereira in Dili.
He congratulated Timor Leste on her admission as a new member of the Asean which would be in effect from January 2025 and sought support of Timor Leste in securing Bangladesh’s position within the Asean as a sectoral dialogue partner.
The acting foreign minister thanked his Bangladeshi counterpart for making his maiden visit to Timor Leste and appreciated the leadership and the economic successes of Bangladesh.
He expressed his gratitude to Bangladesh for the contribution to Timor Leste during the stabilization period through Bangladeshi peacekeepers who were deployed in Timor Leste under the UN Peacekeeping Mission.
The two foreign ministers agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation on issues of mutual concerns like climate change as both the countries were affected by the climate change induced erratic climatic events.
Both the ministers also agreed to collaborate on food security issues and explore potentials of bilateral trade.
The two ministers also underlined the necessity of holding regular Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) to discuss and explore avenues like setting up garments’ factory in Timor Leste, contract farming, training of diplomats and other areas of mutual collaboration.
The acting foreign minister hosted a reception in honour of Bangladesh foreign minister in attendance of cabinet ministers, members of parliament and members of the diplomatic community.
Meeting with the health minister
Dr Momen also met Health Minister Elia Antonio de Araujo dos Reis Amaral on Monday.
He briefed her on the initiatives of the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to improve the health services and ensure access to the basic health services by the millions in the rural areas through community clinic initiative.
The foreign minister said that Bangladesh was ready to share her expertise and experience of community-based engagements in the health sector.
The health minister of Timor Leste, who is also a lady, lauded the leadership role of Prime Minister Hasina.
The health minister appreciated the offer made by the Bangladesh foreign minister for the students of Timor Leste to study medicine and other disciplines of health services in Bangladesh medical colleges.