The Elected President Of Timor Leste Hopes To Meet With Jokowi Soon

President-elect of Timor Leste José Ramos Horta answers questions during an interview in the Largo de Lecidere Beach area, Dili, Timor Leste, Tuesday (17/5/2022). BETWEEN PHOTOS/Galih Pradipta/rwa

DILI - Timor Leste's president-elect José Ramos-Horta said that he hopes to meet with the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) soon after the inauguration day of the President of Timor Leste and the celebration of Timor Leste's Independence on May 20.

“So, (we want to meet) anytime after May 20, when President Jokowi can meet me. Depends on the availability of time from the Indonesian side. Whenever Indonesia can. May, June, anytime", Ramos-Horta told reporters at the Dili Cathedral, Timor Leste, as reported by Antara, Wednesday, May 18.

Ramos-Horta explained that the president-elect of Timor Leste has a tradition to make a first visit or meeting with the President of the Republic of Indonesia, which is then followed by a meeting with Australia.

Therefore, at this time, Ramos-Horta awaits the availability of the President of the Republic of Indonesia to visit and strengthen bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Timor Leste.

Moreover, Ramos-Horta has the ambition to succeed in the entry of Timor Leste to become the 11th ASEAN member state. He targets to become part of ASEAN during Indonesia's presidency in ASEAN.

Furthermore, he also explained that his party had received invitations to visit the European Union, Brussels (the capital of Belgium), to the United States.

However, Indonesia remains a priority for Ramos-Horta before making visits to other countries.

"For now, our priority is to go to Indonesia and Australia", said Ramos-Horta.

Ramos-Horta is the elected president of Timor Leste who will be sworn in on Thursday, May 19 2022 at around 11.00 pm local time. After the inauguration, Ramos-Horta will deliver a state speech at the celebration of Timor Leste's independence day on 20 May 2022 at around 08.30 am local time.

Before being elected President of Timor Leste for the period 2022-2027, Ramos-Horta had been elected President of Timor Leste in the period 2007-2012. Thus, this is the second term for Ramos-Horta to serve as president.

In addition, he also served as Prime Minister of Timor Leste from 2006 to 2007. The presidential candidacy of Ramos-Horta promoted by the CNRT party received support from the First President of Timor Leste after independence, namely Xanana Gusmão.