Jakarta (VNA) - The state visit to Vietnam by Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta from July 31 to August 3 will bring about many strategic interests for both countries, contributing to strengthening their cooperation in the time ahead, a diplomat has said.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste Ta Van Thong highlighted the close ties and mutual support between the two countries in the international arena, especially during the struggles for national liberation.

Since the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic ties in 2002, Timor-Leste high-ranking leaders have paid three official visits to Vietnam, one by President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao in August 2005, another by President José Ramos-Horta in 2010, and the latest by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao in September 2013.

President José Ramos-Hort’s visit is expected to create a chance for the two sides to seek measures to strengthen and deepen the bilateral cooperation, thus deepening their relationship and tightening their traditional friendship.

They have agreed to further enhance cooperation and coordinate stance at regional and international forums, the diplomat said.

Vietnam will continue working together with other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its Secretariat to support Timor-Leste in its preparation to join the regional grouping, he affirmed.

He said two-way trade remains modest, mainly driven by Vietnam’s rice and garment-textile exports to Timor-Leste. Vietnam’s exports to the country stood at 15.49 million USD last year, and its imports reached 371,000 USD. In the first five months of this year, the export value was 6.09 million USD, up 29.4% year-on-year.

For investment, Viettel Telemor run by Vietnam’s Military Industry and Telecommunications Group (Viettel) has gained a firm foothold in the market with its investment capital rising to 15 million USD from the initial 500,000 USD in 2012, becoming one of the three largest telecom service providers in the country.

Thong said the two education ministries have agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding to facilitate their collaboration in this sphere.

He held that the coming visit will be an opportunity for the two countries to exchange experience in such areas as economy, education, agriculture, and fisheries.

The ambassador said Timor-Leste holds substantial potential for Vietnam’s exports like rice, processed food, milk and dairy products, footwear, beverages, household utensils, and machinery. Meanwhile, to serve its economic activities in the coming years, Vietnam will need more inputs such as fuels (oil and gas), raw wood, and minerals, which are of Timor-Leste’s potential.

﷽ Thong suggested Timor-Leste facilitate research and investment opportunities in such fields as oil and gas exploration and exploitation, forest and mineral resource processing, metal ore mining, and investment cooperation to produce goods for export to countries offering preferential treatment to Timor-Leste.

He also urged Timor-Leste to expedite the ratification of the trade agreement signed between the two countries and to boost cooperation in transport, import-export and seaport sectors to support trade exchanges.

Timor-Leste is currently in the process of joining ASEAN, which will further expand economic, political, and cultural cooperation opportunities with regional community members. For successful ASEAN accession, Timor-Leste needs support of member countries, with Vietnam playing a crucial role.

He emphasised that, based on the traditional friendship between the two peoples, Vietnam has always strongly supported Timor-Leste in joining ASEAN. In coordinating support for Timor-Leste's efforts to this end, Vietnam particularly focuses on training and capacity building for officials.

൲ Thong explained that investing in personnel training is one of the key factors to help Timor-Leste build a strong human resource foundation, enhancing productivity and work quality, empowering local authorities, thereby promoting the country's sustainable development and facilitating international and regional integration./.