Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Bendito dos Santos Freitas (Photo courtesy of Bendito Freitas Facebook Page)
Timor-Leste's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito dos Santos Freitas will visit the Philippines anew for a working visit next week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
DFA announced on Friday, Oct. 17, that dos Santos Freitas will be undertaking a working visit to the Philippines from Oct. 21 to 23.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and dos Santos Freitas are scheduled to have a bilateral meeting on Oct. 22.
According to DFA, they are expected to discuss areas of cooperation and to advance the shared aspiration of regional peace and prosperity, particularly through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The visit will be the foreign minister's second consecutive visit to the Philippines since assuming office in 2023, underscoring the strengthening diplomatic ties between the two nations.
DFA said Timor-Leste hosts more than 1,500 Filipinos consisting largely of professionals in fields such as education, administration, entrepreneurship, and engineering.
The Philippines and Timor-Leste established formal diplomatic relations on May 20, 2002, coinciding with the historic restoration of Timor-Leste’s independence.