Dili: Vietnam is ready to share its experience with Timor-Leste as the ASEAN's newest member prepares to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported. Charg© d'Affaires of Vietnam to Timor-Leste, Pham Binh Dam, conveyed this during a meeting with Timor-Leste's Deputy Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay in Dili, Timor-Leste, on July 13.
According to Nam News Network, the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors. Deputy Prime Minister Lay, who is also the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment, commended Vietnam for its socio-economic achievements and its support for Timor-Leste's integration into regional and international platforms, such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and ASEAN. He emphasized that Vietnam's development and integration experience could offer valuable lessons for Timor-Leste.
During their discussions, the officials explored opportunities to expand cooperation in fields like agriculture, food security, human resources development, digital transformation, tourism, connectivity, and investment promotion. Dam reassured that Vietnam is committed to sharing its expertise and facilitating links among relevant agencies, localities, and businesses of both countries in line with Timor-Leste's development priorities.
The two countries identified conditions favorable for developing practical cooperation programs, with initial priorities including expert exchanges, needs assessments, capacity-building programs for officials, and strengthened business-to-business connections. In tourism, both sides recognized Timor-Leste's potential to develop products based on its natural landscapes, marine resources, and unique cultural identity.
Deputy Prime Minister Lay expressed interest in learning from Vietnam's experience in organizing major multilateral events, including training officials and managing protocol, logistics, communications, and inter-agency coordination, as Timor-Leste prepares for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029. Dam reaffirmed Vietnam's readiness to exchange experiences and provide appropriate support to help Timor-Leste enhance its capacity for active participation in ASEAN activities.
Lay also highlighted Timor-Leste's appreciation for the presence of Vietnamese businesses and expressed a willingness to address any obstacles they face in their investment and business operations. The two sides agreed to continue working closely with relevant authorities to identify specific sectors, projects, and initiatives for future cooperation.
The meeting is expected to further deepen relations between the two countries by translating political goodwill and cooperation potential into concrete programs that support the development goals of both nations while contributing to ASEAN solidarity and regional cooperation.