Russia and Timor-Leste Mark 24 Years of Diplomatic Relations, Russia Extends Greetings on Independence Day

Moscow. The Russian Federation and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste have completed 24 years of diplomatic relations. On May 20, 2002, Timor-Leste declared its independence, and Russia immediately granted it official recognition as a sovereign state.

From the very outset, Russia welcomed the steps taken by the people of Timor-Leste towards independence at the United Nations, supported the peacekeeping operations of the Security Council, and participated in UN humanitarian assistance programmes for the population of the young republic. Russia considers it fundamentally important that the United Nations played a key role in the country’s attainment of sovereignty. The UN Mission in East Timor became a vivid example of successful cooperation under the auspices of the world Organisation, making it possible to resolve the East Timor crisis and lay the foundations of statehood in that territory.

The Russian Federation is currently represented in Timor-Leste concurrently by the Russian Embassy in Indonesia. Over the past 24 years, the friendly relations between the two countries have developed steadily on the basis of mutual respect and trust. The legal and treaty framework is expanding, defence cooperation is being carried out, humanitarian and cultural ties are strengthening, and prospects for cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of the two countries are being discussed.

Comprehensive bilateral cooperation is successfully maintained at various levels, including dialogue between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, specialised agencies, and interparliamentary cooperation. Following Timor-Leste’s accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2025, cooperation between Russia and the country within the ASEAN framework is expanding, with ASEAN serving as a central element of the security and cooperation architecture in the Asia-Pacific region.

Moreover, Timor-Leste became one of the 57 co-sponsors of the resolution on the “Eightieth Anniversary of the End of the Second World War,” joining the efforts of the international community to preserve historical truth about the course and outcomes of World War II.

Russia has congratulated the people of Timor-Leste on the Day of Restoration of Independence and expressed wishes for their wellbeing and prosperity.