DILI: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace here on Tuesday (Sept 23) evening, marking the start of his official engagements on the first day of a historic two-day visit to Timor-Leste.
The welcome ceremony, led by Timor-Leste President Dr José Ramos-Horta at 4.10pm local time, featured the national anthems of both countries accompanied by a 19-cannon salute.
Anwar then inspected the guard of honour and signed the palace’s Visitor’s Book, before proceeding to a four-eye meeting with the president. Both leaders will later address the media in a joint press briefing.
Also present were Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin.
Anwar is later scheduled to attend a Pre-Council Meeting before heading to the Madani Engagement with Malaysian diaspora, as well as alumni of the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) and the Malaysian Defence Cooperation Programme (MDCP).
The day’s programme will conclude with an official dinner co-hosted by President Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão. – Bernama
