Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday met President of Timor-Leste José Ramos-Horta and discussed issues of mutual interest.

The meeting, held at a city hotel, discussed ways to deepen the relations between the two countries.

While welcoming the President of Timor-Leste on his first official visit to Bangladesh, Foreign Adviser Hossain discussed issues of mutual interest with the visiting President, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will shortly have a tete-a-tete with the visiting leader today which will be followed by a delegation-level meeting.

Dr Yunus and Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta will appear in a joint press conference at 12:15 pm on Sunday at the Chief Adviser's Office.

After the meeting, a joint press conference will be held, during which the two countries are expected to sign agreements on visa exemption and a memorandum of understanding for Foreign Office Consultations (FOC).

Bangladesh rolls out red carpet welcoming President José Ramos-Horta

During his stay in Dhaka, the president will engage in a series of high-level meetings and events aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.

Hr was on Saturday night accorded a red carpet reception on his arrival here on a four-day official visit.

The Chief Adviser received President Ramos-Horta at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on his arrival around 10:40pm.

He was given a state salute and guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces.  

He inspected the guard of honour, while the national anthems of the countries were played.

President Ramos-Horta is accompanied by a 19-member delegation, including Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister.

In the afternoon (Sunday), Ramos-Horta will meet honorary consul of Timor-Leste in Bangladesh, Kutubuddin Ahmed, and Bangladesh Football Federation President and BNP leader, Tabith Awal.

On December 16, Ramos-Horta will call on the President of Bangladesh at Bangabhaban. He will also visit the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar to pay homage to the heroes of Bangladesh’s Liberation War.

We want good relations with all countries: Foreign Affairs Adviser

The President will attend the 54th Victory Day celebrations, marking Bangladesh’s historic victory in 1971.

On his final day, December 17, the Timor-Leste President will deliver a lecture at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) auditorium on “The Challenges of Peace in the Contemporary World”.

He is expected to interact with Bangladeshi students and young leaders, sharing his experiences of leading his country’s independence movement, the role of the people, and the post-independence aspirations of Timor-Leste.

President Ramos-Horta will leave Dhaka later in the day, concluding his visit aimed at fostering diplomatic and cultural relations between Bangladesh and Timor-Leste.