President Ferdinant Marcos Jr. leads the nationwide celebration of ‘Araw ng Kalayaan’ in commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence Day in 2023. (Presidential Communication Office / Wikimedia)
On June 13, Timor-Leste extended its congratulations to the Philippines on the occasion of its Independence Day, reaffirming the longstanding friendship between the two Southeast Asian nations and expressing solidarity with communities recovering from a recent earthquake.
In a statement released on Friday, the Timorese government conveyed its best wishes to the Filipino people as they commemorated the anniversary of the country’s declaration of independence on 12 June 1898, a landmark event that remains central to the Philippines’ national identity.
The statement emphasised that Timor-Leste and the Philippines have built a relationship based on mutual respect and cooperation, with both countries continuing to work together in promoting peace, regional stability and sustainable development across Southeast Asia.
Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Government Spokesperson Agio Pereira said Timor-Leste was honoured to join the celebrations and reaffirm its close ties with Manila. “As the Filipino people celebrate Independence Day, Timor-Leste extends its congratulations to the Philippines, a friendly nation and regional partner with which it maintains a relationship of cooperation and mutual respect,” he said.
Beyond its Independence Day message, the Timorese government also acknowledged the challenges facing the Philippines following the recent earthquake that affected several parts of the country. Pereira expressed sympathy for those impacted and recognised that recovery efforts are still ongoing.
“At a time when various communities continue to recover from the aftermath of the recent earthquake that struck the country, we also extend our solidarity to the Filipino people.”
“We wish the Philippines prosperity and well-being and reiterate our commitment to strengthening the bonds of friendship between our countries,”
Timor-Leste and the Philippines have maintained warm diplomatic relations for more than two decades, cooperating through ASEAN and other regional platforms on issues including economic development, maritime security, disaster resilience and regional integration. As Timor-Leste moves towards full ASEAN membership, Manila has remained one of its key supporters, backing the country’s efforts to deepen regional engagement and strengthen cooperation within Southeast Asia.
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