May 9, 2025
PHNOM PENH – During a current official visit to Timor-Leste, Cambodian Senate president Hun Sen was warmly and enthusiastically welcomed by the country’s leaders. They met him at the airport and will also confer an honorary decoration upon him.
Upon his May 7 arrival at Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili, Hun Sen was greeted by President José Ramos-Horta, who personally drove Hun Sen from the airport to his hotel.
“Hun Sen. A good friend, a best friend, visits us. The Liberator and Founder of Modern Cambodia, Hun Sen led his people from genocide to peace and prosperity. I was his driver yesterday,” Ramos-Horta posted on social media, on May 8.
The senate president shared that in addition to meetings with Timor-Leste Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and other parliamentary leaders, he will be awarded the Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste.
He will also deliver a speech and lecture at a special session of Timor-Leste’s National Parliament on the topic: “Hun Sen’s Lessons: From Genocide and Poverty to Freedom and Prosperity.”
A post on Hun Sen’s Facebook stated that the grand reception was a gesture of gratitude for his significant contributions and support to Timor-Leste over the past two decades, particularly in advocating for Timor-Leste’s full membership in ASEAN.
School children line the streets to welcome Hun Sen to Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste government. PHOTO: TIMOR-LESTE GOVERNMENT/THE PHNOM PENH POST
Timor-Leste became an observer member of ASEAN in 2022, when Cambodia hosted the ASEAN summit. In 2025, the country is close to becoming an official ASEAN member, having met most of the required conditions.
Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told The Post that Cambodia has supported and recognized Timor-Leste as an independent state. Over the past decade, Cambodia has consistently backed Timor-Leste’s bid to join ASEAN.
As one of the most recent nations to join ASEAN – in 1999 – Cambodia understands the importance of Timor-Leste’s regional integration. Consequently, Timor-Leste places a high value on Cambodia’s support.
Regarding the warm reception Hun Sen received from the Timor-Leste leadership, Phea noted that Hun Sen has consistently supported and worked to ensure Timor-Leste meets ASEAN’s charter requirements to become its 11th member.
“Hun Sen’s recent remarks this week affirmed that Timor-Leste’s inclusion in ASEAN is not a burden but will strengthen the bloc and make regional integration more comprehensive. Thus, the gestures of Timor-Leste’s leaders reflect respect and gratitude toward Cambodia and Hun Sen for their support,” he said.
He received a warm welcome, thanks in part for his long-term support for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership bid. PHOTO: TIMOR-LESTE GOVERNMENT/THE PHNOM PENH POST
