Thursday, June 06, 2013


THE Philippines and Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste signed three agreements Thursday aimed at strengthening cooperation on foreign relations, education and infrastructure development.

Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, who arrived in Manila early morning Thursday, joined President Benigno S. Aquino III in witnessing the signing of the three agreements in Malacañang on Thursday.

One of the agreements signed was the memorandum of understanding on policy consultations between the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines and Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

The agreement was signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario for the Philippines and Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Jose Luis Guterres for Timor-Leste.

Also signed was the memorandum of understanding between the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Ministry of Public Works of Timor-Leste.

Secretary Rogelio Singson signed for the Philippines and Minister Francisco de Sousa of the Ministry of Public Works singed for Timor-Leste.

The memorandum of the understanding on teacher training between the Philippine Normal University and the Ministry of Education of Timor-Leste was also signed Thursday.

Secretary Patricia Licuanan of the Commission on Higher Education signed for the Philippines while Minister Bendito dos Santos of Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Education signed for his country.

The Philippines and Timor-Leste already have tie ups in education prior to the signing of the MOU on education Thursday.

Thirty-two of more than 100 Timorese scholars in the Philippines have finished their studies here and have returned to their country to share the insights gained in the Philippines.

Twenty Timorese scholars are graduating this year and they are expected to contribute to Timor-Leste’s development. (PND)

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