Malaysia and Timor-Leste Strengthen Ties with New Agreements

Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão visited Malaysia from December 1-3, 2024, at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s invitation. The leaders discussed strengthening bilateral ties, including trade, education, defence, and tourism, and welcomed agreements on air services, visa exemptions, and cooperation in education and defence.

Malaysia reaffirmed its support for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership and offered capacity-building programs. Both nations pledged cooperation on regional issues, expressing concern over the Myanmar crisis and supporting peaceful resolutions in the South China Sea. They also called for a ceasefire in Gaza and backed Palestine’s sovereignty. Anwar was invited for an official visit to Timor-Leste.

Timor Leste and Asean

On Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN, Prime Minister Anwar reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to support Timor-Leste in its journey towards becoming a full member of ASEAN.

Both Leaders welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) and the Human Capital Development Fund Timor-Leste (FDCH) on 28 August 2024. The MoU will facilitate the mobility of Timor-Leste Government scholarship recipients to further their studies in Malaysia. To further strengthen the cooperation in the field of education and capacity-building, the Leaders looked forward to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Higher Education in the near future.

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