Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta received the delegation of Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) on 21 September during his visit to New York, United States for the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Foreign Affairs Minister Zin Mar Aung and her deputy Moe Zaw Oo, Education and Health Minister Dr Zaw Wai Soe, Myanmar Ambassador to UN Kyaw Moe Tun, Communication, Information and Technology Minister Htin Lin Aung and Deputy Human Rights Minister Aung Kyaw Moe were included at the meeting.
The meeting focused on further cooperation in Myanmar’s Spring Revolution.
During his discussion at the 78th UN General Assembly, the Timorese President raised the Myanmar issue and urged the international community to provide effective humanitarian assistance to Myanmar.
The delegation of NUG also held discussions with officials of the US State Department in New York on 20 September.
In early August, the NUG delegation discussed with Timor-Leste’s minister for petroleum and mineral resources in Dili, on Timor-Leste’s financial system, and its management of mineral resources, such as oil and natural gas.
From 1 to 4 July, NUG ministers also made an official visit to Timor-Leste at the invitation of the Timorese president, and discussed enhancing relationships with countries in the region, building stronger and closer ties with neighbouring countries and promoting the role of Myanmar in regional organizations.
The Myanmar delegation also attended the inauguration ceremony of new Timorese government on 1 July.
In retaliation for relations between the NUG and Timorese government, the Myanmar military regime ordered Timor-Leste’s senior diplomat to leave the country no later than 1 September.
Timor-Leste’s government responded to the order of expulsion that it reiterates the importance of supporting all efforts for the return of democratic order in Myanmar and expresses its solidarity with the people of Myanmar, while urging the Military junta to respect human rights and seek a peaceful and constructive solution to the crisis.
The NUG also praised Dili’s unwavering support, and declared that the military junta was an “illegal organization” that have no authority to this order.
“We deeply respect and appreciate the position of Timor-Leste that values fundamental democratic policies and standards, the rule of law and human dignity,” it stated. “This stands as an exemplary model for others to follow.”
During an interview with Al Jazerra, the Timorese President said that their country will not change their plans to join ASEAN, with their preference in 2025.
He also said that his government does not blame ASEAN’s unsuccessful attempt to persuade the Myanmar military to go back to its barracks and to respect the democratic rights of the people of Myanmar, in comparing the position and inability of UN Security Council to sort out the Ukraine war.
