New PHL Envoy Presents Credentials to the Timorese President

13 October 2017 DILI – Philippine Ambassador to Timore-Leste, H.E. Abdulmaid Kiram Muin, presented his credentials to H.E. Francisco Guterres Lú Olo, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, at the Presidential Palace, Aitarak Laran, Dili, Timor-Leste on October 10.

A retired regional trial court judge, Ambassador Muin was appointed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as Ambassador to Timor-Leste to replace H.E. Evelyn Austra-Garcia, who left Timor-Leste in March 2017.

During the ceremony, President Gutteres warmly welcomed Ambassador Muin and thanked the Philippine government for its generous support and assistance to Timor-Leste during the country’s most trying times.

President Gutteres assured Ambassador Muin that the Timorese government will continue to work closely with the Philippines in further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.

President Gutteres also expressed high hopes that the Philippines would always support Timor-Leste’s bid for membership to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

For his part, Ambassador Muin thanked President Gutteres and the Timorese people for the warm welcome he has received in Timor-Leste. He also personally conveyed President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s congratulations to President Gutteres’ election as the new Timorese leader last March 2017.

On Timor-Leste’s membership bid to ASEAN, Ambassador Muin assured President Gutteres the Philippines will always be at the side of Timor-Leste on this issue, adding that Timor-Leste owns a spot in the heart of the Filipino nation due to the two countries’ many commonalities such as similar Catholic heritage, core values, and cultures.

Ambassador Muin expressed optimism that the strong bilateral ties between the two countries will continue to grow and flourish during his tenure in Timor-Leste.

The presentation of credentials ceremony ended with the inspection of the Presidential Honor Guard by the Ambassador. END

For more information, visit www.dilipe.dfa.gov.ph.

Ambassador Muin was accompanied at the ceremony by Mrs. Divina Carina D. Corpuz, Assistance-to-Nationals Officer/Assistant Administrative Officer and Attaché, and Colonel Emilio T. Hulipas, Defense and Armed Forces Attaché