Ambassador Gerritsen met separately with President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão to discuss bilateral relations and future cooperation between the two countries.

During the meetings, the Dutch diplomat extended his congratulations to Timor-Leste on its upcoming membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), marking a significant milestone for the young nation's regional integration.

The discussions also covered recent developments and explored potential areas of collaboration between the Netherlands and Timor-Leste. Ambassador Gerritsen highlighted opportunities for Dutch support in capacity building initiatives, with particular emphasis on two key sectors: food production and cybersecurity.

These areas of cooperation could provide valuable expertise to Timor-Leste as it continues to develop its infrastructure and strengthen its position within the Southeast Asian region ahead of its formal ASEAN accession.

The meetings reflect the ongoing diplomatic relationship between the Netherlands and Timor-Leste, with both nations exploring ways to deepen their partnership across various sectors.