Dili.spektrumnasional.com || President and Nobel Peace Laureate J. Ramos-Horta today officially received the Letters of Credence from Her Excellency Ms. Teo Lay Cheng, the first resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Singapore to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. The formal ceremony took place at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace.(21/04/2026)

Ambassador Teo Lay Cheng is a career diplomat with Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), having held key appointments both domestically and abroad. Prior to her posting to Timor-Leste, she served as Singapore’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia from 2021. She was also Director of Strategic Communications at the MFA. In 2017, Ms. Teo established the Strategic Communications Directorate, and a year later, she led the Ministry’s year-long communications campaign for Singapore’s ASEAN Chairmanship. Notably, she was a member of the pioneer team at the Singapore Permanent Mission to ASEAN in Jakarta, serving as Deputy Permanent Representative and Head of Chancery with the Diplomatic rank of Minister-Counsellor from 2009 to 2013. In recognition of her contributions to the Public Service, Ambassador Teo Lay Cheng was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Bronze) in 2009.

Timor-Leste and Singapore share a robust bilateral relationship rooted in early solidarity and expanding cooperation. Singapore was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Timor-Leste upon its independence in 2002 and contributed military personnel to the UN peacekeeping mission following the 1999 referendum. A transformative milestone was reached in April 2024 with the opening of Singapore’s Embassy in Dili, which has catalyzed Singaporean investment in critical sectors such as education, health, agriculture, fisheries, and infrastructure. Through the Singapore Cooperation Programme, over 1,100 Timorese officials have received training since 2012, further strengthened by the eSTARS Package launched in July 2025 to support Timor-Leste’s ASEAN integration. Cooperation also includes a medical referral agreement with Parkway Hospital (renewed annually since 2019), an updated Air Service Agreement (2023), major investments such as Heineken and A-Smart Holdings’ “Timor-Leste Marina Square” project, and humanitarian solidarity—exemplified by Singapore Red Cross relief efforts following the April 2021 floods. This enduring partnership reflects a shared commitment to regional stability, prosperity, and mutual support in times of crisis.

President Ramos-Horta warmly welcomed Ambassador Teo and expressed confidence in her ability to further deepen the ties between the two nations.

“Today marks a historic and meaningful milestone in the friendship between Timor-Leste and Singapore. The presentation of credentials by Ambassador Teo Lay Cheng, our first resident Ambassador from Singapore, is not merely a diplomatic formality—it is a testament to the unwavering solidarity Singapore has shown our nation since before our rebirth as an independent state. From the earliest days of our struggle, through peacekeeping, capacity building, and now transformative investment in our economy and people. I am confident that Ambassador Teo will build upon this strong foundation, and I look forward to even closer collaboration for the mutual benefit of our peoples and the stability of our region,” stated President J. Ramos-Horta.

Timor-Leste’s commitment to working closely with Ambassador Teo Lay Cheng to translate shared aspirations into tangible outcomes. As both nations look toward a future of deeper their bilateral relations, the exchange of credentials today stands as a powerful symbol of mutual respect, strategic trust, and a shared vision for a peaceful, prosperous Southeast Asia.