Meeting at the Élysée between Emmanuel Macron and José Manuel Ramos-Horta

On February 25, 2026, at the Palais de l’Élysée, Emmanuel Macron meets José Ramos-Horta to strengthen bilateral relations and strategic cooperation with Southeast Asia.

French President Emmanuel Macron will meet on Wednesday, February 25 with José Manuel Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and Nobel Peace Prize laureate (1996), during his official visit to Europe.

During the meeting, the French Head of State will reaffirm France’s support for Timor-Leste’s economic development projects. This discussion reflects France’s continued commitment to strengthening strategic dialogue with ASEAN member states.

Both leaders will exchange views on regional and global challenges, particularly environmental protection and sustainable development, further consolidating bilateral relations.

Timor-Leste, which gained independence in 2002 after a long Indonesian military occupation and centuries of Portuguese colonial rule, remains one of the few Catholic-majority nations in Southeast Asia. The visit of Pape François in September 2024 deeply impacted the Timorese population.

Since the beginning of his presidential term in May 2022, President Ramos-Horta has also intensified diplomatic outreach. He has visited or received invitations from numerous countries, including Indonesia, Australia, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, China, Japan, South Korea, Portugal, Switzerland, France, the Vatican, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Brazil, as well as through regular participation in United Nations sessions.

In February 2025, during the annual diplomatic reception, he stated that since May 2022, Timor-Leste had welcomed 49 foreign dignitaries, illustrating strong diplomatic reciprocity.