Timor-Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak met with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo during his official visit to Indonesia on February 13, 2023, to discuss bilateral cooperation between the two countries. During the meeting at the Bogor Presidential Palace, both leaders also discussed the follow up steps after Timor Leste President José Ramos-Horta’s visit in July 2022.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the two governments have made agreements on 5 issues to build cooperation in the following areas:
- Higher education
- The development of human resources and sharing of knowledge
- Industrial engineering
- Cooperation on meteorology, climatology and geophysics
- The development of economic zones along the NTT (East Nusa Tenggara)-Oecusse border.
Indonesia has also decided to renew visa-free status for Timor-Leste citizens, which had been previously suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bilateral cooperations
In the economic matters, the two leaders discussed the need to promote the development of an economic zone in the NTT-Oecusse border region. They also talked about starting negotiations to create a Bilateral Investment Agreement between the two countries.
Regarding cooperation in connectivity, Jokowi expressed support for the plan to launch the first bus route between NTT capital of Kupang and Timor-Leste’s capital Dili in the near future. He also encouraged the efforts to reduce the costs associated with sea transportation logistics in order to promote business activities between the two countries.
Timor-Leste is grateful for Indonesia’s support in its efforts to become a member of ASEAN. Indonesia, as the Chair of ASEAN in 2023, will take the lead in discussing the roadmap for Timor-Leste’s complete participation in regional grouping.
Jokowi also emphasized the importance on finalizing negotiations in the remaining two segments of the land border between the two countries, namely the Noel Besi-Citrana and Bijael Sunan-Oben segments. Additionally, he emphasized the need to improve the prosperity of people living on the border, including through the revitalization of the Joint Border Committee and border markets.
A tale of two nations
The history of Indonesia and Timor-Leste is complex and has been marked by a long period of political tensions and conflicts. Timor-Leste was under Portuguese rule for over four centuries until 1975, when it declared independence.
Indonesia invaded Timor-Leste soon after its declaration of independence, leading to a 24-year long period of occupation that resulted in the deaths of over 100,000 Timorese. The government eventually agreed to a United Nations-sponsored referendum in 1999, in which the Timorese overwhelmingly voted for independence.
Following the referendum, pro-Indonesia militias launched a campaign of violence and destruction. The UN deplored a peacekeeping mission to respond the violent acts. Timor-Leste officially became an independent country in 2002.
Since then, the two countries have worked to establish a cooperative relationship, with Indonesia playing a key role in Timor-Leste’s development through economic and technical assistance.
There have also been efforts to address the human rights abuses that occurred during Indonesia’s occupation period. While there have been some challenges along the way, the relationship between Indonesia and Timor-Leste continues to evolve as both nations work towards a peaceful and productive partnership.
