H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs will pay an official visit to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste from 18 – 20 May 2017 at the invitation of H.E. Mr. Hernani Coelho, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste.

During the official visit to Timor-Leste, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will hold a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation
of Timor – Leste. Both Foreign Ministers will sign the Agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste will host a luncheon in honour of the Thai Foreign Minister. On the same occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will also attend the Swearing-in Ceremony of the President-elect of Timor-Leste and the Raising Flag Ceremony as Timor-Leste commemorates the Restoration of Independence Day during the evening of 19 May 2017. The Thai Foreign Minister will also pay courtesy calls on the President and the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste.

As the official visit coincides with the 15th anniversary of Restoration of Independence Day of Timor-Leste and the 15th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Timor-Leste on 20 May 2002, the official visit provides a good opportunity for the two countries to strengthen bilateral relations and discuss ways to deepen and expand future relations.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs’ official visit aims to (1) promote partnership for development with Timor-Leste under the Three-Year Development Work Plan (2016-2018) in the areas of agriculture, public health and capacity building for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste and to support Timor-Leste in achieving the Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 as well as enhance technical cooperation under the projects of Village of Sustainable Community Development Model in Hera based on the application of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, and the project on Agriculture for School Lunch Project (School Garden Project) under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to promote food security and capacity building in agriculture and science and (2) explore trade and investment opportunities between public and private sectors, especially in infrastructure, which is of great importance to Timor-Leste.

Thailand and Timor-Leste share cordial relations, which have been strengthened by frequent exchanges of high-level visit, the latest of which was
on 22 November 2016, when the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste visited Thailand as Special Envoy of the President and the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste to pay respect to His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The trade volume between Thailand and Timor-Leste as of 2015 amounted to USD 46 billion with Thailand being the ninth largest importing market of Timor-Leste. The Thai private sector mainly invests in restaurant and spa businesses in Timor-Leste.