VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic Indonesia, H.E. Retno L.P. Marsudi held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, H.E. Dionísio Da Costa Babo Soares on Friday, 17 May 2019 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta.​​

The Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste congratulated Indonesia for the successful organization of the General Elections on 17 April 2019. Minister Soares also congratulated Indonesia for its membership in the United Nations Security Council and Indonesia's presidency of the Council in May 2019. 

The two Ministers discussed various issues related to cooperation in the Pacific region, bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, and capacity building support, as well as negotiations between Indonesia and Timor-Leste border.  The Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste is also in Jakarta to follow-up on the progress for its application to become a member of ASEAN.

“Indonesia wants to see Timor-Leste become a prosperous and stable country supported by a strong   economy and be part of the ASEAN family. That is why Indonesia places Timor-Leste as a priority for its technical assistance program in the context of South-South Cooperation," explains Minister Marsudi. 

Minister Marsudi briefed Minister Soares on the preparations for the upcoming “Pacific Exposition" in Auckland, New Zealand, 11-14 July 2019, which is organized by the Indonesian government. Timor-Leste will be sending a delegation to this event that is aimed to increase cooperation among the Pacific states in the areas of trade and investment, connectivity as well as arts and culture.

On border issues, both ministers viewed the negotiations on the land boundaries between Indonesia and Timor-Leste as a priority and expected them to be concluded in the forseeable future. 

The ministers also agreed to ramp up trade and investment cooperation, including in the border regions. Economic empowerment of the Indonesian and Timor-Leste communities living in the borders not only boosts economic development but also promotes a peaceful environment. 

To boost economic development in the border areas, both Ministers  also discussed efforts to speed up plan for the constructon Mota Ain bridge, connecting Indonesia and Timor-Leste. (kemenlu)