The President of the United States, Donald Trump, highlighted the “growing role” of East Timor in the region in a message of congratulations for its admission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the 24th anniversary of the restoration of its independence.
“As East Timor marks the anniversary of its restoration of independence on May 20, I extend my congratulations to Your Excellency and the people of East Timor,” reads a message, dated May 6, sent to the Timorese President, José Ramos-Horta, and released Tuesday by the Presidency.
“We also congratulate East Timor on achieving full membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations [in October 2025], a historic milestone that reflects the growing role of your Nation in the region,” the message adds.
Read more: East Timor: political interference in judicial system concerns organization
In the message, according to the Timorese Presidency, Donald Trump “values the progress achieved by the two countries through cooperation in the areas of defense, security, economic affairs, and others.”
José Ramos-Horta thanked the American President for his “warm letter of congratulations” and emphasized that the United States stood by East Timor “both in times of struggle and in peace.”
In 2025, after taking office, President Donald Trump abolished the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the majority of its cooperation projects, including those in East Timor.
