HÀ NỘI — Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta, who is on a State visit to Việt Nam at the invitation of President Tô Lâm, had an exchange session with students of the Diplomatic Academy of Việt Nam (DAV) in Hà Nội on Friday.

Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta is welcomed by DAV students. VNA/VNS Photos Văn Điệp

Deputy Foreign Minister Đỗ Hùng Việt said President Jose Ramos-Horta was the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996, along with Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo. He has served the Timor-Leste in many important positions, from Foreign Minister, Prime Minister and currently President, for his second term.

His leadership plays an important role in leading Timor-Leste to overcome complex challenges to build the nation and move towards regional integration, Hùng said.

Delivering a speech at the DAV, President Jose Ramos-Horta expressed his hope that Việt Nam can help Timor-Leste develop a master plan, propose solutions, models and work with people across Timor-Leste to positively change the face of agriculture.

He also expressed his desire that Việt Nam will support his country in ensuring food security and elevating children hunger and malnutrition.

The President said that if his country joins ASEAN, Timor-Leste wants to attract more investment resources from member countries, especially from Việt Nam and Thailand, into tourism.

The President talked to the students at the Diplomatic Academy of Việt Nam.

The leader took a selfie with the DAV students.

The President emphasised that the youth are the future of the country. Students need to continuously study, cultivate and update their knowledge to be able to contribute and successfully solve upcoming challenges.

“We need to find better technology to address water security, as well as economically use water resources for agriculture,” he said.

Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta with delegates from the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and DAV lecturers.

He joined Đỗ Hùng Việt, deputy minister of foreign affairs (left) and Dr Phạm Lan Dung, acting DAV director (right) at the talk.

DAV student Đỗ Phương Anh said the Timor-Leste’s President shared many messages, historical stories and similarities between the two countries. That helps herself understand the Timor-Leste’s culture, country and people, as well as the common grounds between the two people.

Trương Ngọc Lan, another DAV student, noted that she feels honored and lucky to have the opportunity to welcome the President of Timor-Leste.

The President and Deputy Minister Đỗ Hùng Việt take a selfie with students.