PRESIDENT Ramos-Horta arrived here in the Philippines on Wednesday, at 2:20 in the afternoon, in an effort to forge stronger ties between Timor-Leste and the Philippines.
President Ramos-Horta’s plane, Royal Brunei flight BI683, touched down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal-1 on Wednesday afternoon, marking the start of his important 4-day state visit in the country.
Ramos-Horta received an arrival honor from the Philippine Air Force (PAF), and he was warmly welcomed by several Philippine officials, including Timor-Leste Ambassador to the Philippines, Fransico T. Cepeda, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Assistant General Manager for Security and Emergency Services, BGen. Manuel Manny S. Gonzalez, and PAF BGen. Juliano Llaneras.
The state visit is a response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. invitation during the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Indonesia in May.
The visit aims to strengthen the relationship between the Philippines and Timor-Leste, covering various cooperation areas such as technical, political, educational, and economic partnerships.
During a bilateral meeting at the 42nd ASEAN Summit, President Marcos assured Timor-Leste of the Philippines’ continued support for its journey towards full membership in the ASEAN regional bloc.
To recall, Timor-Leste participated as an observer in the 42nd ASEAN Summit, and President Marcos expressed joy at its journey towards becoming a democratic state and eventually becoming an ASEAN member state.
On Friday, November 10, arrival honors will be conducted at the Kalayaan Grounds for President Ramos-Horta.
The guestbook signing will take place in the reception hall, followed by a close-in and bilateral meeting.
A joint press statement will be issued in the reception hall, with a state banquet at the Kalayaan Hall, attended by President Marcos.
President Ramos-Horta is set to depart from the Philippines on Saturday, November 11.
