United News of Bangladesh

President of Timor-Leste José Ramos-Horta and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus acknowledged the importance of finalising an air services agreement between the two friendly countries on Sunday. They also recognised the significance of cooperation in sectors such as SMEs, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education, capacity building, manpower, ICT, and disaster management. The Chief Adviser urged President Ramos-Horta to consider granting permanent residency to expatriate Bangladeshis residing in Timor-Leste for extended periods, to ease the challenges of visa renewal. Timor-Leste President assures support for resolving Rohingya crisis: CA The Timorese side assured its support for Bangladesh’s bid to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN, following its full membership. The visit holds historical significance, as it marks the first-ever official visit by a head of state from Timor-Leste, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Official engagements began on Sunday morning with a welcome call on the President by Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and President José Ramos-Horta held a one-to-one meeting, followed by a bilateral delegation-level discussion at the Chief Adviser’s Office. Both leaders engaged in talks covering a wide range of issues concerning Bangladesh-Timor-Leste relations, including bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual interest. The Chief Adviser briefed President Ramos-Horta on the July-August Revolution and the ongoing reforms being undertaken by the interim government toward a democratic and just Bangladesh. President Ramos-Horta expressed support for the interim government’s efforts to build a new Bangladesh and commended the youth representation in the Advisory Council. The two leaders underscored the need to enhance trade and economic relations, recognising the potential for growth in bilateral trade. They also discussed collaborating on microcredit and social business initiatives. Prof Yunus requested the President’s support for Bangladesh’s stance on the repatriation of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals at the ASEAN forum, advocating for their safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation. President Ramos-Horta expressed strong backing for an early resolution of the prolonged crisis. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Establishment of a Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) and an agreement on the exemption of visa requirements for diplomatic and official passport holders were signed following the delegation-level talks. Timor-Leste President seeks to boost trade ties with Bangladesh After the MoU signing ceremony, both leaders addressed the press, discussing the outcomes of their meetings and the potential for further strengthening bilateral relations. The two Nobel Peace Laureates also emphasised the importance of global peace and stability, urging the international community to take action toward resolving ongoing conflicts in various regions. President José Ramos-Horta is on an official visit to Bangladesh at the invitation of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. A 15-member delegation, including the Foreign Minister, Principal Adviser, Chief of State Protocol, and senior officials from Timor-Leste, is accompanying the President. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus warmly welcomed President Ramos-Horta at the airport yesterday evening, where he received a red-carpet reception and a ceremonial guard of honour. President Ramos-Horta is scheduled to attend Bangladesh's 54th Victory Day celebrations on Monday and will also deliver a keynote address on "The Challenges of Peace in the Contemporary World" at a Dhaka think tank.

Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta has assured Bangladesh's interim government of his efforts to secure ASEAN’s support for the repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar. “And his excellency has assured us as an ASEAN member that he will try his best to make sure that ASEAN supports us in the Rohingya issues,” Dr Yunus said  at a joint press conference at his office on Sunday after a bilateral meeting with Ramos .  “So, we discussed in detail how this can be achieved. How to make the international opinion go towards the repatriation of Rohingyas from Bangladesh back to Myanmar,” he said. Timor-Leste President seeks to boost trade ties with Bangladesh The Chief Adviser said Ramos-Horta will be a strong support for Bangladesh. Dr Yunus said Timor-Leste is set to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) soon.  Earlier, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Timor-Leste President held "fruitful discussions" and shared their ideas to take the relations between the two countries to a new height. They witnessed the signing of two instruments -- MoU on bilateral consultations mechanism and agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders -- to further strengthen the relations. The two leaders had a tete-a-tete which was followed by a delegation-level meeting. CA Yunus, Timor-Leste President hold fruitful meeting, eye closer ties Earlier in the morning, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain met President of Timor-Leste José Ramos-Horta and discussed issues of mutual interest. He 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.

President of Timor-Leste José Ramos-Horta was accorded a red carpet reception on his arrival here on Saturday night on a three-day official visit. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus received President Ramos-Horta at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on his arrival around 10:40pm, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told UNB. He was given state salute and guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces. A warm welcome awaits Timor-Leste President in Dhaka tonight 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. Key Meetings and Agreements 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. On the second day of his visit, December 15, Ramos-Horta will meet Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain in the morning. Later, he will hold discussions with Chief Adviser Dr Yunus, followed by a delegation-level meeting. 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). In the afternoon, Ramos-Horta will meet honorary consul of Timor-Leste in Bangladesh, Kutubuddin Ahmed, and Bangladesh Football Federation President and BNP leader, Tabith Awal. Participation in Victory Day Celebrations On the third day, 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. The President will attend the 54th Victory Day celebrations, marking Bangladesh’s historic victory in 1971. Address to the Youth and Departure 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”. Victory President of Timor-Leste to visit Bangladesh 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.

Dhaka is ready to welcome José Ramos-Horta, the President of Timor-Leste, as he arrives here on a four-day official visit starting Saturday night. He will be accompanied by a 19-member delegation, including Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister. President Ramos-Horta is scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport aboard a special Singapore Airlines flight. Japan reaffirms commitment to support Bangladesh’s reform agenda and economic growth Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus will receive the President with a guard of honour and a red carpet reception. Key Meetings and Agreements During his stay from December 14-17, the President will engage in a series of high-level meetings and events aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. On the second day of his visit, December 15, Ramos-Horta will meet Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain in the morning. Later, he will hold discussions with Chief Adviser Dr Yunus, followed by a delegation-level meeting. 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). Foreign Adviser calls for increased Norwegian investment in Bangladesh In the afternoon, Ramos-Horta will meet honorary consul of Timor-Leste in Bangladesh, Kutubuddin Ahmed, and Bangladesh Football Federation President and BNP leader, Tabith Awal. Participation in Victory Day Celebrations On the third day, 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. The President will attend the 54th Victory Day celebrations, marking Bangladesh’s historic victory in 1971. Address to the Youth and Departure 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”. DMP commissioner attends courtesy meeting with US Embassy delegation 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.