Timor-Leste and Portugal Strengthen Cooperation in Electoral Administration and Administrative Modernisation
On June 29th, 2026, the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, met in Lisbon with Portugal’s Minister of Home Affairs, Luís Neves, and the Deputy Minister and Minister for State Reform, Gonçalo Matias, to sign two cooperation agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation in electoral administration, administrative simplification, and the modernisation of public administration. 
At the meeting with the Minister of Home Affairs—also attended by the Deputy Secretary of State for Home Affairs, Paulo Simões Ribeiro, and the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Rui Rocha—the friendship, trust, and cooperation between the two countries were reaffirmed.
During the meeting, the Minister of State Administration outlined ongoing efforts to reform Timor-Leste’s electoral legal framework, modernise the electoral system, strengthen its inclusiveness, and align it with international best practices. In this context, he highlighted Portugal’s experience in organising and managing electoral processes and expressed interest in deepening technical cooperation between the two governments.
Following the meeting, the Protocol on Cooperation in Administration, Organisation, and Management of Electoral Processes was signed, establishing a framework for collaboration to share technical expertise, build institutional capacity, and strengthen cooperation between the two countries in this area.
On the same day, Tomás do Rosário Cabral met with Gonçalo Matias, Deputy Minister, and Minister for State Reform, and the two signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in administrative simplification and modernisation.
The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange experiences on administrative streamlining, integrated service delivery, and digital transformation, and to identify areas for cooperation to improve the efficiency of public administration, facilitate citizens’ access to public services, and strengthen the institutional capacity of the entities responsible for administrative modernisation.
The two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the protocols that have now been signed, promoting the exchange of best practices and developing joint initiatives to modernise public administration and strengthen the institutions of both countries.
The Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Portugal, Manuel António Araújo Serrano, representatives of the Embassy of Timor-Leste, and a delegation from the Ministry of State Administration attended the meetings and the signing of the cooperation agreements.
