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The Star
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodian Senate president Hun Sen's long-time support for Timor-Leste reflected in warm welcome
Hun Sen and the leadership of Timor-Leste travel together in a car driven by Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta on May 7, 2025. - Photo: Timor-Leste government DILI: 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 Wednesday (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 Thursday (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. - Photo: Timor-Leste government. 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. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Heading for Vatican, cardinal recalls Pope Francis' love for East Timor
East Timor Cardinal Virgilio Do Carmo Da Silva, 57, greets people at the President Nicolau Lobato International Airport as he leaves for the Vatican, in Dili, East Timor, April 22, 2025. REUTERS/Yuddy Cahya Budiman DILI, East Timor - The first ever cardinal of Roman Catholic-majority East Timor had barely had time to process the news of Pope Francis' death when he received the summons to attend the conclave that will elect the new pontiff half a world away in the Vatican. More than 97% of East Timor's 1.3 million people are Roman Catholics, making it one of the largest majorities in the world. Along with the Philippines, it is also one of only two predominantly Christian countries in Asia. Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, 57, recalled the strong bond between Francis and the Timorese people in an interview with Reuters at the airport of Dili, East Timor's capital, before flying to Rome, some 12,500 km (7,500) miles away. "'I'm in love with Timor'," Silva recalled Francis telling him during the pontiff's trip last year. More than 600,000 people - nearly half of East Timor's population - turned out then to see Francis. Silva, who was made a cardinal by Francis in 2022, said he had been preparing to lead a Mass for the late pope when he received the missive from the Vatican to head to Rome. "Probably, I will join the meeting on Thursday," Silva said, joking that he was already late. Cardinals already in Rome decided on Tuesday that Francis' funeral would take place on Saturday, setting the stage for a solemn ceremony that will draw leaders from around the world. A conclave to choose a new pope normally takes place 15 to 20 days after a pontiff's death, meaning it should not start before May 6. Some 135 cardinals are eligible to participate in the highly secretive ballot that can stretch over days. "We need a good discernment. I'm happy to participate," said Silva. Asked about the strongest candidates, he said it could be anyone, adding: "For myself I cannot come with a certain candidate in my mind." At present there is no clear frontrunner to succeed Francis. Francis often clashed with conservatives who saw him as overly liberal and too accommodating to minority groups such as the LGBTQ community. "I think what we need (is) a pope who is not more conservative or more progressive, but somebody who is neutral in order to keep the Church going in that direction," Silva said. "That's what's in my mind. But the others, I don't know what they think. There should be a balance." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Heading for Vatican, cardinal recalls Pope Francis' love for East Timor
East Timor Cardinal Virgilio Do Carmo Da Silva, 57, greets people at the President Nicolau Lobato International Airport as he leaves for the Vatican, in Dili, East Timor, April 22, 2025. REUTERS/Yuddy Cahya Budiman DILI, East Timor (Reuters) - The first ever cardinal of Roman Catholic-majority East Timor had barely had time to process the news of Pope Francis' death when he received the summons to attend the conclave that will elect the new pontiff half a world away in the Vatican. More than 97% of East Timor's 1.3 million people are Roman Catholics, making it one of the largest majorities in the world. Along with the Philippines, it is also one of only two predominantly Christian countries in Asia. Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, 57, recalled the strong bond between Francis and the Timorese people in an interview with Reuters at the airport of Dili, East Timor's capital, before flying to Rome, some 12,500 km (7,500) miles away. "'I'm in love with Timor'," Silva recalled Francis telling him during the pontiff's trip last year. More than 600,000 people - nearly half of East Timor's population - turned out then to see Francis. Silva, who was made a cardinal by Francis in 2022, said he had been preparing to lead a Mass for the late pope when he received the missive from the Vatican to head to Rome. "Probably, I will join the meeting on Thursday," Silva said, joking that he was already late. Cardinals already in Rome decided on Tuesday that Francis' funeral would take place on Saturday, setting the stage for a solemn ceremony that will draw leaders from around the world. A conclave to choose a new pope normally takes place 15 to 20 days after a pontiff's death, meaning it should not start before May 6. Some 135 cardinals are eligible to participate in the highly secretive ballot that can stretch over days. "We need a good discernment. I'm happy to participate," said Silva. Asked about the strongest candidates, he said it could be anyone, adding: "For myself I cannot come with a certain candidate in my mind." At present there is no clear frontrunner to succeed Francis. Francis often clashed with conservatives who saw him as overly liberal and too accommodating to minority groups such as the LGBTQ community. "I think what we need (is) a pope who is not more conservative or more progressive, but somebody who is neutral in order to keep the Church going in that direction," Silva said. "That's what's in my mind. But the others, I don't know what they think. There should be a balance." (Reporting by Ananda Teresia in Dili; Writing by Gibran Peshimam; Editing by Gareth Jones)
