VIETNAM AND TIMOR-LESTE SIGN VISA WAIVER AGREEMENT FOR ORDINARY PASSPORT HOLDERS

HANOI — In the presence of both Heads of Government, senior officials representing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste officially exchanged a bilateral agreement establishing visa-free entry for ordinary passport holders.

The exchange ceremony took place on the afternoon of June 9, following a solemn official welcoming ceremony and high-level bilateral talks between Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng and Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.

High-Level Bilateral Talks

During the bilateral summit, Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng commended Timor-Leste on its major achievements, particularly its formal admission as a full member of the ASEAN family—a milestone vital to strengthening ASEAN’s unity, centrality, and regional dynamism. He expressed confidence that Timor-Leste will rapidly and effectively integrate into ASEAN’s operational mechanisms.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão expressed deep gratitude for Vietnam’s continuous support throughout Timor-Leste’s ASEAN accession process, emphasizing that Vietnam is not only a trusted friend but also a close and effective development partner.

Key Diplomatic & Strategic Outcomes:

• 2027 Milestone: Both leaders committed to elevating bilateral ties to new heights ahead of the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027.
• Framework Implementation: Full implementation of existing accords, including the Framework Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation.
• Bilateral Agreements Executed: Signing of key cooperative documents on visa exemption, educational cooperation, and information and communications technology (ICT) to solidify people-to-people exchange.

Economic, Trade, and Investment Expansion

Both Prime Ministers agreed to capitalize on their complementary economic strengths, calling for the swift ratification and execution of the bilateral trade agreement. Priority sectors for trade expansion include rice, agricultural and aquatic products, textiles, footwear, essential consumer goods, telecommunications, digital transformation, infrastructure, and services.

Food Security & Digital Infrastructure:
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão requested Vietnam’s continued supply of high-demand commodities—particularly rice—to ensure Timor-Leste’s national food security. He commended Vietnamese commercial investments, highlighting Viettel’s Telemor network for its pivotal role in building Timor-Leste’s digital infrastructure and national connectivity.

Timor-Leste actively invites further Vietnamese investment across agriculture, fisheries, tourism, infrastructure, and natural resource management. In response, Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng proposed accelerating negotiations for an Investment Guarantee and Protection Agreement and establishing dedicated bilateral mechanisms for economic trade oversight.

Both nations also resolved to enhance cooperation in climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable maritime economic development, defense, security, capacity building, and expert exchanges.

Parliamentary Engagement & Bilateral Relations

In a separate meeting, Chairman of the National Assembly Trần Thanh Mẫn received Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, hailing the visit as a crucial landmark in deepening friendship and cooperation.

Prime Minister Gusmão commended Vietnam as a global model of post-war recovery, resilience, and sustainable growth, expressing Timor-Leste’s desire to learn from Vietnam’s administrative reform, economic innovation, and institutional policy design.

Bilateral Trade & Parliamentary Cooperation Summary

Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn affirmed that the National Assembly of Vietnam remains committed to creating a favorable legal framework to support the swift execution of all bilateral agreements signed between the two nations.