Japan continues to provide support to Timor-Leste
On March 8, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zacarias Albano da Costa, met with his Japanese counterpart, Koichiro Gemba. Following the meeting, the Minister said that they approached issues in the context of the commitment of Japan to maintain its support for the development of Timor-Leste and the desire to “strengthen our relations of friendship".
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Koichiro Gemba, highlighted the fact that Japan intends to continue its support to Timor-Leste in key areas such as infrastructure, education and training of F-FDTL cadets among other areas.
Timor-Leste will sign an agreement with Japan on a loan application in yen, which in U.S. dollars corresponds approximately to 70 million. The purpose of the loan is intended for the construction of the road between Díli and Baucau. The Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, will conduct an official visit to Japan later this month to, among other things, to sign this agreement.
In a courtesy call to the Ministry of Defense of Japan, Zacarias Albano da Costa met with the Defence Minister, Naoki Tanaka, who indicated the intention to continue its support to the F-FDTL, specifically to human resources development and training new members in the National Defense Academy of Japan
Zacarias Albano da Costa added that both the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Defence Minister of Japan, pledged to support the accession of Timor-Leste to ASEAN. Both the Ministers expressed satisfaction with the stability and security situation in Timor-Leste.
"These situations create a great impact on economic development and attract foreign investment. The entrepreneurs I met, showed a great desire to visit Timor-Leste to observe the actual conditions on the ground and identify priority areas for investment", said the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Timor-Leste Minister of Foreign Affairs also had the opportunity to meet with the CPLP Ambassador accredited in Japan, which was followed by a courtesy visit to the Parliament of Japan and, finally, a meeting with journalists at the National Press Club.
