Timor-Leste wants to accelerate plans for an embassy in Moscow

Timor-Leste’s foreign minister Bendito Freitas wants his country to open an embassy in Russia as soon as possible, he told RIA Novosti in an interview published on October 9.

Following talks with Sergey Lavrov, Freitas plans to report to his prime minister and discuss opening the embassy and selecting an ambassador. He cited Russia’s international role and permanent UN Security Council membership.

He proposed that an existing Timorese embassy in China or the United Arab Emirates could temporarily represent the country in Russia. No opening date or ambassadorial appointment was announced.

Freitas visited Moscow on October 4–6, the first such visit in the countries’ relations. After Tuesday’s talks, Lavrov welcomed the embassy plans and offered Russian support.