Ramos-Horta acknowledged that building peace was challenging but noted the country’s success in fostering strong ties with ASEAN countries, North Asia, and more
President José Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, credited the international community, especially Australia and Indonesia, for supporting his country’s journey.
Speaking at the National Press Club on Oct. 9, Ramos-Horta expressed gratitude with humour, highlighting the importance of managing relationships with neighbours.
“We are fortunate to have two great neighbours—Australia and Indonesia,” he said, “you cannot choose your neighbours, only your friends.”
Timor-Leste, which fought a bloody struggle for independence from Indonesia, has since worked hard to maintain stability and positive relations with its bigger neighbours.
Ramos-Horta acknowledged that building peace was challenging but noted the country’s success in fostering strong ties with ASEAN countries, North Asia, and beyond.
He highlighted Timor-Leste’s growing international diplomacy, including relations with Japan, South Korea, China, and India, underscoring the nation’s maturing diplomatic presence.
Amidst growing tension and social divide across the globe, Ramos-Horta praised Timor-Leste’s social harmony, noting that 99.6 percent of the population is Catholic, with peaceful coexistence between small Muslim and Protestant communities. Pope Francis recently visited the small nation, which attracted 600,000–700,000 people.
Progress in Education, Healthcare, Energy
Timor-Leste’s leader highlighted the country’s strides in education and healthcare since its 2002 independence.
He recalled that the nation had only one Ph.D. holder then, but now boasts over 100, with degrees earned from prestigious global institutions.
The country’s university system has expanded from one with fewer than 10,000 students to 18 universities and 40,000 students.
However, he cautioned against the rapid growth, comparing it to Singapore’s modest five universities despite its economic strength.
In healthcare, Timor-Leste’s medical professionals have surged from 19 doctors in 2002 to 1,200 today, many of whom are trained in Cuba.
“This transformation has led to life-changing services like daily cataract surgeries under the East Timor Eye Program. On infrastructure, the country has achieved 98 percent electricity coverage, though reliance on costly diesel remains an issue,” Ramos-Horta said.
He added that plans are underway to transition to sustainable energy sources like natural gas and solar, though this shift will take decades.
He also called the reports on unemployment highly exaggerated.
“The official unemployment rate was 1.79 percent in 2022, with many youths in education making claims of 50 percent unemployment inaccurate.”
Timor-Leste Faces Looming Fiscal Cliff: Research
Although Timor-Leste has made significant strides since gaining independence in 2002, its heavy reliance on oil and gas revenues poses a looming financial risk, a research paper published by the Lowy Institute in 2023 said.
The paper warns that the country’s sovereign wealth fund, which has sustained its economy, is projected to be depleted within the next decade, potentially leading to a “fiscal cliff.”
While Timor-Leste remains one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant democracies, the nation faces a critical political transition as the leadership of the independence-era veterans, the “Generation of ‘75,” begins to fade. This generational shift could potentially destabilise the political landscape and complicate governance.
These challenges include transnational threats, regional geopolitical tensions, and economic vulnerabilities.
“The impact of such threats could significantly outweigh Timor-Leste’s size and destabilise the region. Given its strategic location and developing international relationships, instability in Timor-Leste would likely have global ramifications, making it a critical player despite its small size,” the paper said.