06 March 2015 - Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste Maria Aileen H. Bugarin called on the new Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MFAC) of Timor-Leste, Mr. Hernani Coêlho, last March 04.
During the meeting, Foreign Minister Coêlho briefed the Ambassador on the current foreign policy thrusts of the 6th constitutional government of Timor-Leste whose mandate ends on August 2017. He stressed that, for the next two years, the country will continue to be a responsible member of the international community through active engagements in multilateral fora such as the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Pacific Islands Forum, among others. The country will also continue to lead and support the group of fragile and post-conflict nations known as the G7+.
Both sides also expressed satisfaction over the existing levels of development partnership between the Philippines and Timor-Leste. Ambassador Bugarín and Foreign Minister Coêlho also agreed that the regular foreign policy consultations, the first of which was convened in Manila last June 2014, will help facilitate dialogue and exchange of views between the two countries on matters of mutual interest. Timor-Leste is set to host the second round of policy consultations this year.
The Ambassador took the opportunity to apprise the Foreign Minister on the developments in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). She also highlighted the Philippines’ steadfast advocacy for a rules-based approach for the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes in the WPS.
Present in the meeting were MFAC National Director for Southeast Asia Marcus dos Reis da Costa and Chief of Staff and concurrent National Director for Ceremonies and Protocol Assistance Elisa Maria da Silva. Joining Ambassador Bugarín was Third Secretary Maurice A. Tiempo. END