Dili, June 16 (AseanAll)  — The President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, J. Ramos-Horta, received the Japanese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, KIMURA Tetsuya, on June 16, 2025, who reiterated his country’s firm commitment to Timorese national development and to the process of full ASEAN membership.

During the meeting, the Head of State was informed about priority projects funded by the Japanese Government, among which stand out the construction of the new passenger terminal at Nicolau Lobato International Airport and the expansion of Guido Valadares National Hospital, with the creation of a new maternal-child unit.

Ramos-Horta emphasized Japan’s strategic role in promoting the country’s economic diversification, through investments in key sectors such as renewable energy  with the implementation of a solar power plant in Manatuto and in the professional qualification of young Timorese, through the Carrying Water Project.

Kimura also congratulated Timor-Leste on its significant progress in the ASEAN membership process. The President expressed his sincere recognition for Japan’s consistent support on the international level, as well as for the concrete contributions to the development of national infrastructure and economy.

The Head of State reaffirmed the importance of this bilateral cooperation, highlighting that both large structural projects and human resource capacity building programs are essential for Timor-Leste’s sustainable progress.