Jakarta – Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta hopes to expand cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly in the development of renewable energy and a green economy.
“The UAE is a global leader (in this field), and I hope Timor Leste can expand relations with the UAE,” said Ramos-Horta, who was specifically invited by the UAE Ambassador to Indonesia and ASEAN Abdulla Salem AlDhaheri to attend a dinner in Jakarta , Tuesday.
Even though the two countries are relatively small, Ramos-Horta highlighted the very positive relationship that has been forged so far.
“In addition to friendship, we want to step into concrete partnerships in many fields, not only in the economy,” he said.
Ramos-Horta also emphasized Timor Leste’s support for all peace initiatives proposed by the UAE and the Middle East country’s leadership to support the creation of world peace.
In an effort to strengthen relations between the two countries, the UAE welcomes the Timor Leste government’s plan to open its embassy in Abu Dhabi.
“We in the UAE are very excited and want to work with the Timor Leste government to find new collaborations that can meet the interests of both countries,” said Ambassador AlDhaheri.
Cooperation in the fields of energy, transportation, double tax treaties and investment protection are areas that have been discussed by the UAE and Timor Leste.
AlDhaheri hopes that the signing of the cooperation agreements can take place during the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai on November 30-December 12 2023—which Ramos-Horta was also invited to attend.
“We will always look for new ways to cooperate with Timor Leste. I think the direction is already there, as well as the wishes of both parties. I’m sure both countries will be successful,” said AlDhaheri, who has visited Timor Leste three times.
THE NAIS IS OFFICIAL EDITOR ON NAIS NEWS