Official Visit of PM Xanana Gusmao: Strengthening Bilateral Relations between Indonesia and Timor-Leste

Bogor, Ministry of Communication and Informatics – President Joko Widodo welcomed the official visit of the Prime Minister (PM) of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province, on Friday (26/01/2024). PM Xanana Gusmao and his delegation arrived at the Bogor Palace around 09.00 AM, accompanied by the Nusantara troops, cavalry troops, and the Presidential Security Force (Paspampres) music corps.

The welcoming ceremony continued with an official ceremony, including the national anthems of both countries and a 19-gun salute. The two leaders then inspected the honor guard and watched the troop parade passing before them.

On this occasion, the two leaders introduced their respective delegations. The Indonesian delegation included Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, Communication and Informatics Minister Budi Arie Setiadi, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Indonesian Ambassador to Timor-Leste Okto Dorinus Manik, and Director General for Asia Pacific and Africa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abdul Kadir Jailani.

The Timor-Leste delegation included Foreign and Cooperation Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Transport and Communications Minister Miguel Marques Goncalves Manetelu, Strategic Planning and Investment Minister Gastao Francisco de Sousa, State Secretary for Social Communication Expedito Dias Ximenes, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister Elizabeth Gouveia Leite Exposto, Timor-Leste Ambassador to Indonesia Agostinho Simao Barreto, Senior Officials Consultation Chairman Roberto Sarmento de Oliveira Soares, and Director General for Bilateral Relations Asia Oceania Marcos dos Reis da Costa.

After introducing their delegations, President Jokowi invited PM Xanana Gusmao to take a photo together and sign the state guest book in the Teratai Room, Bogor Palace. They then had a brief conversation on the veranda before planting a Merawan Tree (Hopea odorata) together.

The bilateral meeting in the Oval Room began with President Jokowi expressing his pleasure to meet PM Xanana Gusmao again and his belief that this visit would further strengthen the relationship between the two countries. “This visit shows the strengthening of our bilateral relations, Indonesia and Timor-Leste,” said President Jokowi.

Following the bilateral meeting, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries, including MoUs on infrastructure development and communication and informatics. The official welcoming ceremony concluded with a state luncheon for PM Xanana Gusmao in the Garuda Room, Bogor Palace.