DILI (LINTASTIMOR.ID) – Upon their arrival in the capital city of Timor-Leste, the Deputy Governor of East Nusa Tenggara , Irjen Pol (Ret.) Drs. Johni Asadoma, M.Hum, together with the Regent of Belu, Willybrodus Lay, S.H, Regent TTU Yosep Falentinus Delasalle Kebo, S.IP, MA,the Vice Regent of Timor Tengah Utara, Kamillus Elu, S.H, and the Vice Regent of Belu, Vicente Hornai Gonsalves, S.T, immediately embarked on an important agenda: a high-level meeting with Timor-Leste’s Vice Minister on the sidelines of the Dili International Trade Expo, Wednesday (27/8/2025).
The meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Timor-Leste, brought together key officials from both nations. The presence of the NTT delegation drew significant attention, reflecting the strategic importance of the Indonesia–Timor-Leste border as a gateway of trade, investment, and cross-border cooperation.
On this occasion, Deputy Governor Johni Asadoma underscored the urgency of building stronger economic connectivity.
“We came not merely with ceremonial gestures, but with a spirit to unlock real opportunities for the people along the border. NTT is ready to stand as a strategic partner for Timor-Leste in trade and investment,” he declared.
Meanwhile, Belu Regent Willybrodus Lay emphasized the cultural and geographical closeness as the cornerstone of deeper cooperation.
“The people of Belu and Timor-Leste share bonds of history and culture that cannot be separated. Therefore, cross-border economic cooperation must be encouraged to bring direct benefits to ordinary people,” he noted.
Echoing the same spirit, TTU Regent Yosep Falentinus Delasalle Kebo, S.IP, M Elu highlighted the vision of transforming the border from a line of division into a meeting point for shared progress.
“The border should never be seen merely as a boundary, but as a bridge for collective advancement. Through this forum, we hope to see policies born that truly serve the people,” he stated.
The closed-door meeting thus became more than a diplomatic exercise—it symbolized a renewed commitment to strengthen bilateral relations, foster cross-border trade, and nurture the economic growth of communities on both sides of the frontier.
✨ From borders to bridges, the dialogue in Dili was a gentle reminder that lines on a map need not divide, but may instead unite—transforming distance into closeness, and boundaries into opportunities.
