Exclusive interview with Timor-Leste’s Minister: Vietnam’s strong experience in ASEAN will be an invaluable guide
WVR - Immediately after his talks with Member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste Bendito dos Santos Freitas granted an exclusive interview with the World and Vietnam Report, sharing the key focuses of his visit to Vietnam and expressed strong expectations for enhanced cooperation, both at the bilateral level and within ASEAN.
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| Member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung received Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste Bendito dos Santos Freitas on September 16. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
What are main focuses of your visit to Vietnam and your sharing with Member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung?
This visit reflects the strong friendship and shared aspirations between Timor-Leste and Vietnam. It also marks the beginning of my ASEAN tour, a requisite step before Timor-Leste’s full accession to ASEAN on 26 October 2025, as advised by Malaysia in its capacity as ASEAN Chair for 2025.
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| Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste Bendito dos Santos Freitas. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Vietnam is the first country I am visiting on this tour, which gives me the opportunity to convey our heartfelt gratitude to the leaders, government, and people of Vietnam for their steadfast support throughout Timor-Leste’s ASEAN accession process.
At the same time, this visit is dedicated to further strengthening our bilateral cooperation in the post-accession context.
With Acting Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, I will discuss the mechanisms to support the effective implementation of our existing bilateral agreements, advance negotiations on visa exemptions and air services, expand cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, digital economy, and education, and prepare for the elevation of our relations to a Comprehensive Partnership, as well as the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister of Vietnam to Dili next month. We also welcome discussions on the opening of Vietnam’s Embassy in Dili, which will bring our two nations even closer.
ASEAN leaders have agreed to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN in October. Could you share with us Timor-Leste’s preparations for this milestone event, as well as your personal reflections?
ASEAN accession represents a historic milestone for Timor-Leste, fulfilling a long-standing aspiration of our people since independence. We have been working intensively to align our institutions, policies, and legal frameworks with ASEAN standards, supported by the ASEAN Roadmap and technical assistance.
Sectoral ministries are finalising economic pillar agreements, while our diplomats are receiving ASEAN-specific training. Personally, I see this as a moment of profound pride - Timor-Leste joins not only a regional organisation, but a family that values solidarity, dialogue, and mutual support.
This step consolidates our independence, strengthens our resilience, and provides new opportunities for our youth, business, regional integration and overall socioeconomic development.
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| Member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste Bendito dos Santos Freitas on September 16. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
How do you assess the solidarity and support extended by ASEAN member states to Timor-Leste in recent times, including the strong backing from Vietnam and Vietnamese leaders?
We are deeply grateful for the solidarity of ASEAN member states, which has been a defining feature of our accession journey. Vietnam’s steadfast advocacy and political support - from leaders, diplomats, and experts - has been particularly instrumental.
Vietnam recognised Timor-Leste’s independence early, and since then has consistently supported our path to ASEAN. This spirit of solidarity reflects ASEAN’s core values: Unity, mutual respect, and collective progress. It also inspires us to contribute actively to ASEAN’s community-building efforts once we join.
What are your expectations for a new chapter of cooperation with Vietnam? What are your comments on Vietnam’s development aspirations and sharing of experiences between our two countries?
We look forward to a new era of comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam. Our expectations include strengthening trade and investment ties, expanding education and vocational training opportunities, deepening collaboration in agriculture, fisheries, renewable energy, digital transformation, and exploring collaboration in oil and gas sector.
We admire Viet Nam’s remarkable development journey - from post-war reconstruction to becoming one of Asia’s most dynamic economies. Vietnam’s experience in poverty reduction, industrialisation, and digital innovation provides valuable lessons for Timor-Leste.
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| Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste Bendito dos Santos Freitas gave an interview to The World and Vietnam Report on the afternoon of September 16. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Given that 72% of our population is under the age of 35, we are particularly eager to learn from Vietnam’s success in harnessing its demographic dividend - transforming a youthful population into a driver of accelerated economic growth and national resilience.
We believe this shared focus on empowering youth can become a central pillar of our cooperation going forward. We hope to learn from these experiences, while also sharing our own contributions in peacebuilding, reconciliation, and governance.
How do you evaluate the role of cooperation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs in the time ahead, both bilaterally and within the ASEAN framework?
The two Ministries of Foreign Affairs play a central role in guiding and coordinating our partnership. Bilaterally, we will deepen policy consultations, expand diplomatic training and exchanges, and support the opening of Vietnam’s Embassy in Dili.
Within ASEAN, our Ministries will cooperate closely to ensure Timor-Leste’s smooth integration and effective participation in ASEAN. Vietnam’s strong experience in ASEAN will be an invaluable guide as Timor Leste navigates its first years of membership.
Together, our two Ministries will continue to champion multilateralism, international law, peace, security, cooperation and prosperity as well as the voice of small and developing nations in regional and global forums.
Thank you the Minister!
