Kazakhstan and Timor-Leste have formally established diplomatic relations following a meeting between their foreign ministers on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi held talks with Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Timor-Leste’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, focusing on prospects for expanding bilateral ties, according to Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry.

The two ministers signed a Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, formally opening the way for closer cooperation between the two countries.

The talks covered potential areas of cooperation including trade, the economy, education, culture, tourism and agriculture. The sides also discussed expanding political dialogue and maintaining regular diplomatic contacts.

Kazakhstan congratulated Timor-Leste on its accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as its 11th member and expressed readiness to develop cooperation with Dili both bilaterally and through engagement with ASEAN.

The ministers also discussed cooperation within the United Nations and other international organizations, with a focus on sustainable development and climate change.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties and expanding cooperation across a broad range of sectors.