President of Timor-Leste to visit Philippines on Nov. 8

MANILA, Philippines — Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta is set to visit the Philippines on November 8, Malacañang announced on Sunday.

In a statement, Malacañang said that the visit will aim to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Timor-Leste.

“President Ramos-Horta’s state visit to the Philippines will tackle the various areas of cooperation between the Philippines and Timor-Leste in terms of technical, political, educational and economic partnerships,” the statement read.

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Other government agencies that will be present during the visit are the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Justice, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

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Malacañang also recalled President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s assurance to Timor-Leste during the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Indonesia last May that the Philippines will continuously support its move towards becoming a full-fledged member of the regional bloc.

“In the Philippines, you have a partner. We have always been supportive,” Marcos told Timor-Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak at the sidelines of the 42nd ASEAN Summit.