Bangladesh, Timore Leste to Strengthen Cooperation

Bangladesh and Timor-Leste have decided to increase their bilateral collaboration on matters of shared concern, such as food security and climate change, and to look into the possibility of expanding their commercial relations.

The agreement was reached at a Monday bilateral discussion between Timor Leste's Foreign Minister Dr. Agio Pereira and Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen in Dili, according to a news release from the foreign ministry.

From August 28 to 29, Dr. Momen made an official trip to Timor Leste, the first-ever trip of a Bangladeshi foreign minister to a country in the Far East.

During the meeting, the Bangladesh foreign minister congratulated Timor Leste on its inclusion as ASEAN new member which would be effective from January 2025 and sought support in securing Bangladesh's position within the ASEAN as sectoral dialogue partner.

He highlighted that Bangladesh, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has seen phenomenal progress in the areas of poverty reduction, health, education, women empowerment, digitalization, food and energy security having a cumulative impact on the overall economic growth.

He also added that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has uplifted the vulnerable sections through her innovative initiatives like the 'Community Clinic' and 'Home for the Homeless'.

Pereira, who is now the acting foreign minister, thanked his Bangladeshi counterpart for making his maiden visit to Timor Leste and appreciated the leadership and the economic successes of Bangladesh.

He expressed his appreciation to Bangladesh for helping to stabilize Timor Leste through the UN Peacekeeping Mission's deployment of Bangladeshi forces there.

The importance of having frequent Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) to discuss and investigate options like contract farming, educating diplomats, opening a garment factory in Timor Leste, and other potential areas of mutual cooperation, was also emphasized by two ministers.

Cabinet officials, legislators, and representatives from the diplomatic community attended a reception that Pereira gave in honor of the foreign minister of Bangladesh.