Staff Correspondent

President of Timor-Leste José Ramos-Horta will embark on a four-day official visit to Bangladesh from December 14 to 17 at the invitation of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

“President Ramos-Horta is scheduled to attend Bangladesh’s Victory Day celebrations on December 16 during his visit,” said Foreign Secretary Md Jashin Uddin at a press briefing, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here today.

The President will lead a high-level 18-member delegation, which includes Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister, the chief advisor to the President, and senior government officials.

This visit marks the first-ever official visit by a Timor-Leste Head of State to Bangladesh since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2002.

Bangladesh was among the first nations to recognize Timor-Leste following its independence, formally establishing diplomatic relations on June 7, 2002.

Bangladeshi peacekeepers played a significant role in restoring peace and stability in the war-torn nation, a contribution that Timor-Leste continues to appreciate with deep gratitude.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus will formally receive President Ramos-Horta upon his arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on December 14.

On December 15, the President will hold a one-on-one meeting with Chief Adviser Yunus, followed by delegation-level bilateral talks aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

That evening, a state banquet will be hosted in his honor.

On December 16 includes paying tribute to the martyrs of Bangladesh’s Liberation War by laying a wreath at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar.

He will also join the nation in celebrating its 54th Victory Day and will meet with the Bangladesh President at Bangabhaban later in the day.

On December 17, President Ramos-Horta is set to deliver a public lecture on “The Challenges of Peace in the Contemporary World” at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).

He will also interact with Bangladeshi students and youth, sharing insights from Timor-Leste’s independence struggle and its path toward development, with an aim to inspire Bangladesh’s younger generation.

During the visit, discussions will center on enhancing bilateral cooperation across a wide array of fields, including trade, investment, aviation, cultural exchanges, education, disaster management, small and medium enterprise (SME) development, microfinance, and poverty alleviation.

Two key agreements are expected to be signed during the visit: a Visa Waiver Agreement for official and diplomatic passport holders and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Bilateral Consultation Mechanism between the two countries’ foreign ministries.

“These agreements will further strengthen ties and foster mutual benefits for both nations,” the Foreign Secretary noted, adding that an announcement to open an Honorary Consulate of Timor-Leste in Bangladesh is also anticipated.

Explorations into cooperation in food security, agriculture, fisheries, information technology, tourism, and expatriate welfare are on the agenda.

Higher education initiatives, including student exchanges, joint research projects, and academic partnerships, are also expected to be discussed.

“This state visit by President Ramos-Horta represents a historic milestone in Bangladesh-Timor-Leste relations. Both nations are optimistic that the visit will yield significant outcomes, paving the way for a stronger and more vibrant partnership in the future,” said the foreign secretary.