Government of Timor-Leste

Last September 4^th, the Secretary of State for Defense (SoSD) signed an agreement on military cooperation with the Government of Australia, at F-FDTL Headquarters, in Fatuhada, Dili. Named Defense Cooperation Talk (DCT), the agreement covers areas such as capacity building of human resources and maritime cooperation, amongst others.

The Head of the Australian delegation, Neil Orme PSM[1], was satisfied with Timor-Leste’s recommendations for the drafting of the agreement, stating that the Australian Government will provide tutoring on English Language to the F-FDTL members and the SSD employees, through this program (DCT). On what concerns maritime cooperation, the Government of Australia guaranteed that they will continue enabling the F-FDTL on the navigation area and to provide joint training.

The SSD’s Director-General, João de Corte Real, clarified that this bilateral meeting takes place every year, thus assuring good military cooperation relationships. “The Government of Timor Leste still needs partners’ support on the area of defense, including from Australia and America”, referred João de Corte Real.

Timor-Leste’s delegation, for this meeting, was formed by the SSD’s Director-General, João de Corte Real, by the Brigadier General, Filomeno Paixão de Jesus, by the National Director of Strategic Planning for International Politics, Martinho Maia, by different sector commanders and by heads of department of SSD. Australia’s delegation was formed by Neil Orme PSM, by Australia’s Defense Attaché, Colonel Luke Foster and by Deputy General of International Navy, Commander Timothy Byles.

[1] PSM – Public Service Medal