Dili – On February 14, 2026,The President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, J. Ramos-Horta, participated in the Lunar New Year celebrations organized by Telemor at JL Wood, where he paid tribute to the resilience and the “economic miracle” of the Vietnamese people.

In his intervention, the Head of State highlighted Vietnam’s remarkable transformation from a war-torn nation to a relevant global player in digital innovation and agricultural productivity. The President emphasized the success of Telemor as the leading operator in Timor-Leste and pointed to Vietnam’s record-breaking rice production as an inspiring model for national development goals.

Recalling the historical friendship between the two countries, Ramos-Horta expressed gratitude for Vietnam’s continuous support since the early years of the Timorese resistance for independence. The President further recognized the role of Vietnamese diplomacy in advocating for Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN.

The Head of State also announced an upcoming official visit by the Vietnamese Prime Minister, stressing that both countries are prepared to elevate the bilateral relationship to a robust strategic partnership, focusing on connectivity, technology, and economic cooperation.

The President emphasized that future bilateral ties should concentrate on poverty alleviation, with special attention to food security and nutrition. Drawing parallels with recent meetings with international leaders, he expressed confidence that the Vietnamese experience could contribute to liberating the Timorese people from poverty, similar to the progress achieved by their own country.

Closing the speech, Ramos-Horta expressed solidarity with the Vietnamese people in the face of recent natural disasters, stating that the same resilient spirit that overcame historical challenges will also prevail over the adversities of nature.