Provincial Government of Bali welcomed a visit from the Consulate General of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to discuss collaboration in the fields of tourism and education. The meeting, held in Denpasar, served as an opportunity to strengthen ties between the two regions, particularly in developing culturally based tourism.
Consul General of Timor-Leste, Carolina Maria da Silva, expressed her appreciation to the Bali Provincial Government for ensuring the safety and comfort of Timor-Leste citizens in Bali.
“Besides traveling for leisure, many of our citizens also come to Bali as students. Thanks to the Governor’s support, our people feel safe and comfortable while carrying out their activities here,” said Consul General Carolina, quoted by AntaraNews.
Learn about Cultural Tourism
Consul General Carolina also noted that Bali has become an important destination not only for tourists but also for students from Timor-Leste. Impressed by Bali’s success in maintaining sustainable cultural tourism, Timor-Leste is eager to learn from Bali’s experience and policies.
“That is why the consulate general in Bali is very special to us, and we want to learn a lot from Bali,” she added.
Carolina also praised Bali’s success in hosting international events.
“I also see that Bali has been very successful in organizing international events, with the G20 being the most notable. I am proud of Bali’s achievements and the Governor’s leadership as host,” she continued.
In response, Bali Governor Wayan Koster welcomed the intention to deepen cooperation between Bali and Timor-Leste, especially in the tourism sector. He emphasized that, despite being separate countries, the relationship between Bali and Timor-Leste remains strong and familial.
According to Updatebali, “I believe our relationship with Timor-Leste is still like it was before—only now it’s formally separated by international boundaries. Beyond that, it’s still the same,” said Governor Koster.
He also pointed out that many Balinese people currently reside in Timor-Leste, showing that the bond between the two regions continues to thrive. The Governor expressed his commitment to supporting any efforts that strengthen this cooperation.
“I hope our relationship can continue to grow stronger, and if there are matters that require joint support and attention, we will certainly provide our full support,” he affirmed.
Sources: UpdateBali, AntaraNews
Feat Image: via Bali Provincial Govt