Dhaka, Dec 15 (V7N)- Bangladesh and East Timor have taken a significant step in strengthening their diplomatic ties by signing two landmark agreements: one on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders and another to establish a Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) between the two nations.

The agreements were formalized during a joint press conference held at the Office of the Chief Advisor in Dhaka. Present at the occasion were Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor to the Interim Government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, and East Timor’s President, José Ramos Horta.

Key Agreements

  1. Visa Exemption Agreement

    • Signed by Bangladesh's Home Affairs Advisor, Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, and East Timor's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr. Bendito dos Santos Freitas, this agreement allows holders of diplomatic and official passports from both countries to travel visa-free.
    • It aims to facilitate smoother travel for government officials and promote closer diplomatic and administrative interactions.

  2. Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM)

    • This memorandum was signed by Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor, Md. Touhid Hossain, and East Timor’s Dr. Bendito dos Santos Freitas.
    • The BCM establishes a framework for regular consultations to discuss bilateral issues, explore areas of mutual cooperation, and coordinate on regional and global matters of shared interest.

Strengthening Diplomatic Ties

In the joint press briefing following the signing, both leaders expressed optimism about the future of Bangladesh-East Timor relations. Professor Muhammad Yunus stated, “These agreements reflect our shared commitment to deepening cooperation and enhancing diplomatic engagements.” President José Ramos Horta echoed these sentiments, adding that East Timor looks forward to exploring broader avenues of collaboration with Bangladesh.

Future Prospects

These agreements mark a significant milestone in the relations between Bangladesh and East Timor, setting the stage for further collaboration in areas such as trade, education, and cultural exchange. Both nations are optimistic that these initiatives will foster greater mutual understanding and strengthen their presence on the global diplomatic stage.

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