NAKATAKDANG bumisita sa Pilipinas si Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito dos Santos Freitas, bukas, Agosto 19 hanggang 21.
Sinabi ni Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), magpupulong sina Secretary Enrique Manalo at dos Santos Freitas para “to discuss the current state of the bilateral and multilateral relationships between the Philippines and Timor-Leste, as well as to exchange views on regional and international developments,” ayon sa DFA.
“Since assuming the foreign minister post, this will be first time dos Santos Freitas will have an official visit to the Philippines,” ayon pa rin sa departamento.
Ang Timor-Leste, kilala bilang East Timor, nakamit ang kalayaan mula sa Indonesia noong May 20, 2002. Bago i-took over ng Indonesia, ang East Timor ay isang kolonya ng Portugal ng ilang siglo hanggang November 1975.
Nauna rito, matagal nang hiniling ng Timor-Leste na kilalanin bilang 11th member ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Sa kabilang dako, muli namang inulit ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang suporta ng Pilipinas para sa full membership ng Timor-Leste sa ASEAN.
“The Philippines welcomes Timor-Leste’s progress in implementing the Roadmap towards Timor-Leste’s full membership to ASEAN and supports Timor-Leste’s efforts in this regard,” ayon pa rin sa DFA. Kris Jose
