Timor-Leste and Australian Defence Ministers sign cooperation agreement
On September 7th, 2022, the Minister of Defence, Filomeno da Paixão de Jesus and his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, signed a cooperation agreement on defence, in a ceremony held at the National Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, in Canberra.
The signing of the agreement was witnessed by the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta and the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese.
This agreement establishes the reciprocal protections, responsibilities and privileges that each country will grant to the military of the other in the territory. Thus, Timorese military personnel operating, exercising or training in Australia will receive the same protections, responsibilities and privileges that Australian personnel will receive in Timor-Leste.
This agreement will also allow Timor-Leste and Australia to increase cooperation in the areas of defence and security, especially in the maritime domain, given their shared borders and adjacent maritime areas. It will increase the capacity of the two countries to operate together as required, conduct exercises and training, and cooperate in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The agreement follows a meeting between the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and the Timorese President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta. During this meeting, the Timorese Head of State and the Australian Prime Minister discussed common security, economic cooperation, mobility and labour skills, a green economy and Australia's support for Timor-Leste's candidacy to join ASEAN.
