INDONESIA, TIMOR-LESTE PLEDGE STRONGER TIES, DISCUSS BORDER ISSUES AND ASEAN BID

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, March 3 (Bernama) -- Indonesia and Timor-Leste reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation during a meeting between Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and his Timorese counterpart, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, in Central Jakarta on Monday.

The discussions focused on boosting economic ties, resolving border issues, and supporting Timor-Leste’s full accession to ASEAN, according to a statement from the Indonesian Foreign Ministry.

“The partnership between Indonesia and Timor-Leste continues to grow in the spirit of brotherhood. We want to ensure that this cooperation brings tangible benefits to the people of both nations,” Sugiono said.

He welcomed progress in negotiations for a Bilateral Investment Treaty and called for faster approvals of Indonesian investments, including for state-owned enterprises operating in Timor-Leste.

Currently, Indonesia remains Timor-Leste’s top trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching US$391.3 million in 2024, an increase of 12.31 per cent from the previous year.

Meanwhile, Sugiono reaffirmed the country’s support for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership, including through capacity-building programmes.

The two countries have expanded cooperation in recent years in areas such as diplomatic training, financial management reforms, scholarships, and aquaculture development.

On border issues, both ministers pledged to resolve disputes constructively, based on good neighbourly relations and mutual respect.

“Finalising border agreements will create economic opportunities and improve connectivity for border communities,” Sugiono said.

The two sides also agreed to revitalise the Joint Ministerial Commission as a strategic forum for reviewing and expanding bilateral cooperation, the statement read.

-- BERNAMA