SINGAPORE - Mentoring Minister of Timor Leste Xanana Gusmão met with Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law K Shanmugam on Friday afternoon.

Mr Gusmão, who is also Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, is leading a high-level Timor Leste delegation on a study visit to Singapore.

Timor Leste's Minister of Social Solidarity Isabel Guterres and Vice Minister of Finance Helder Lopes were also present at the meeting with Mr Shanmugam.

During the meeting, Mr Gusmão and Mr Shanmugam reaffirmed the warm ties between the two countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement, which added: "Mr Shanmugam expressed Singapore's appreciation for Timor Leste's gestures of support on the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew."

The two ministers also discussed developments in the region and in Timor Leste.

The overseas delegation visit, which ends on Saturday, is organised by the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP).

Areas covered in the study visit include Singapore's public service policies and the Central Provident Fund.

The SCP was established in 1992 to serve as the primary platform through which Singapore offers technical assistance to other countries.