Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta will visit the Philippines on Nov. 10, Malacañang said.

Horta will be in Manila for a state visit to further strengthen bilateral relations between the Philippines and Timor-Leste.

He and President Marcos are expected to discuss various areas of cooperation between the two countries in terms of technical, political, educational and economic partnerships.

Philippine agencies that will be involved in the visit include the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).  

During a bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Indonesia last May, Marcos assured Timor-Leste of the Philippines’ continued support for its move towards becoming a full-fledged member of the regional bloc.

“In the Philippines, you have a partner. We have always been supportive,” the President told Timor-Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak.

Timor-Leste joined as an observer in the 42nd ASEAN Summit, at which Marcos expressed elation on its journey towards becoming a democratic state and eventually becoming an ASEAN member state.