Timor Leste’s President José Ramos-Horta to Visit Indonesia in July

Land and maritime borders

The two countries have agreed on resolving land border issues previously. The negotiation almost concluded, but then Covid-19 broke out. He said that Xanana Gusmao, the first president and independence hero, intended to visit Jakarta soon and re-start the dialog on resolving the land border demarcation.

Meanwhile, on the maritime border issues, the negotiation process will take more time. “Indonesia and Timor Leste have agreed that we would move to [discuss] the maritime border after resolving the land border issues.”

It may take longer to resolve the maritime boundary, but it should happen. “I hope we will also conclude the maritime boundary negotiation in the next five years."

Twenty years since the restoration of its independence from Indonesia in 2002, Timor-Leste has been building good relationship with Indonesia.

“After 24 years of conflict, the two nations became so friendly with each other…unlike so many other conflicts in the world, where people fail to overcome conflict and live together,” Ramos-Horta said.