Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono welcomed Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas in Jakarta on March 3, 2025, to discuss bilateral cooperation, focusing on strengthening economic partnerships, border resolution, and Timor-Leste’s full accession to ASEAN. Sugiono emphasized the growing ties between the two nations and the need for tangible benefits for their people. He also highlighted Indonesia’s role as Timor-Leste’s top trading partner, with trade reaching USD 391.3 million in 2024, a 12.31% increase from the previous year.
Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s development through investment facilitation, capacity-building programs, and joint economic initiatives. Both ministers pledged to resolve border issues constructively to enhance regional connectivity and economic opportunities. Sugiono also reiterated Indonesia’s strong backing for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN integration and agreed to revitalize the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
