Russia, East Timor establish diplomatic relations

Russia has established diplomatic relations with East Timor. Moscow hopes Russia and East Timor will be able to develop a friendly relations for the good of the two nations and in the interests of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific Region, said the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

on May 20, the Russian Federation declared that it recognizes the Democratic Republic of East Timor as an independent sovereign state. Simultaneously, the Russian Foreign Ministry launched negotiations for the establishment of an official relationship between the two countries.

After an exchange of notes, the sides reached an agreement on establishment of diplomatic relations beginning May 20, 2002.