Prime Minister James Marape met with the President of the Republic of Timor- Leste this afternoon in Port Moresby city where both leaders agreed to establish reciprocal embassies following their bilateral talks.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the inaugural Melanesian Oceans Summit, focused on deepening trade, diplomatic ties, and people-to-people exchanges between the two oil and gas-producing nations.

Prime Minister Marape welcomed His Excellency Dr. José Ramos-Horta at Melanesian Haus, describing him as “a global statesman” and Nobel Peace Prize laureate whose advocacy for small island and emerging nations resonates on issues of peacebuilding, climate change, and sustainable development.

“Mr. President, we welcome you to our country,” Prime Minister Marape said.

“We are not living in isolation. We relate to nations, and we share better together. Today, Timor-Leste is on its way to relating to us further, apart from our shared presence in regional and global groupings.”

Both leaders discussed shared regional positioning, noting that PNG and Timor Leste sit between Australia, ASEAN, and Pacific Island nations. President Ramos-Horta pledged Timor-Leste’s support for PNG’s bid to become a full member of ASEAN, while PM Marape committed to lobbying ASEAN member states at the earliest, according to the processes that ASEAN nations are subscribed to.

“His Excellency Ramos-Horta has indicated his nation’s interest to open an embassy here, and I am also interested in opening an embassy there,” PM Marape told a press conference after the meeting. He said the two governments would pursue reciprocal diplomatic missions to enhance trade and cultural ties.

The leaders also highlighted similarities between the two countries, including oil and gas resources, flag features, and populations with shared cultural affinities.

Prime Minister Marape said PNG and Timor-Leste are “stronger together than in isolation” and must collaborate to amplify Pacific voices on ocean preservation and resource rights.