Myanmar–Timor-Leste relations

East Timor and Myanmar established diplomatic relations on 26 September 2006.^[1]

East Timor–Myanmar relations

Timor-Leste	Myanmar

History

2021

After the 2021 Myanmar coup d'etat and during the subsequent civil war in Myanmar, relations have significantly deteriorated between the two governments.

2023

In August 2023, the State Administration Council junta expelled the East Timorese ambassador in retaliation for the East Timorese government meeting with the National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG).^[2] In December 2023, East Timor President José Ramos-Horta called for Tatmadaw soldiers to defect and join the resistance, making East Timor the only government to have openly expressed sympathies to anti-junta forces in Myanmar. Officials of the State Administration Council responded with outrage, running anti-East Timor articles in state media referring to Ramos-Horta as a "thoughtless mouthpiece of the NUG". Additionally, "junta-backed nationalists" held a protest in Yangon against Ramos-Horta.^[3]

2025

On 2 July 2025, Myanmar has officially notified Malaysia, the 2025 ASEAN chair, of its opposition to Timor-Leste joining the bloc this October 2025, citing internal interference. Timor-Leste has reportedly supported the opposing democratic forces in the onging civil war. ^[4]