(AseanAll) —  The President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, J. Ramos-Horta, received Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, IKUINA Akiko, for a courtesy visit at the Presidential Palace on July 24, 2025. 

The meeting served to reaffirm the strong and lasting friendship between Timor-Leste and Japan, focusing on strengthening the comprehensive partnership between the two countries and Japan’s continued support for Timorese national development.

During the meeting,  Ikuina conveyed the Japanese government’s congratulations on the decision to admit Timor-Leste as a full member of ASEAN, a significant milestone for the country. Both leaders agreed to further deepen cooperation in various areas, including economic development, security, infrastructure—with a special focus on the International Airport project—and social services, such as health and agriculture.

One of the central themes of the discussion was the value of people-to-people exchanges. This commitment will be reinforced by the planned signing of an agreement on the Japan Human Resource Development Scholarship Program (JDS). The initiative provides for scholarships for up to eight Timorese officials to attend master’s or doctoral programs in Japan, representing a direct investment in the future leadership of Timor-Leste.

Both parties concluded the meeting with a commitment to strengthen coordination on regional and international matters, as Timor-Leste prepares to fully assume its role in the ASEAN community.