28 October 2014 - In line with efforts to expand the scope of cooperation between the Philippines and Timor-Leste, Philippine Embassy officials led by Ambassador Maria Aileen H. Bugarin called on Timor-Leste Secretary of State for Culture and Arts Maria Isabel de Jesus Ximenes on October 07.

During the meeting, Ambassador Bugarín conveyed the openness of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) of the Philippines to establish avenues of cultural cooperation and exchange with its Timorese counterpart.

Both sides also exchanged views on how to set in motion the request of the Timorese side for Philippine assistance on capacity-building, training in cultural preservation and in establishing libraries, museums and archives.

After the call, Embassy officials turned over to Secretary de Jesus Ximenes some publications on Philippine arts and culture from the NCCA. END