The Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, received today, at the Government Palace in Dili, the visit of Takei Shunsuke, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Japan.

During the visit, the Japanese Minister presented the Head of Government with an official letter of congratulations from the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr Fumio Kishida, on his recent appointment as Prime Minister of the 9th Constitutional Government. 

Takei Shunsuke expressed his pride and honour to represent the Japanese Prime Minister on this visit to Timor-Leste. He reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to continue working with the Timorese Government in priority areas for national development.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs also reaffirmed Japan’s stance supporting Timor-Leste’s accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

At the meeting, Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, expressed his gratitude for the visit of Minister Takei Shunsuke and analysed with him the existing cooperation between the two countries, as well as new areas to be deepened after the approval of the Government Programme.

The Chief of Government recognised that Japan is an important partner which has supported Timor-Leste since its independence, assisting in developing basic infrastructure such as roads, irrigation, bridges, health and human resources development support, among others.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito Freitas, the former Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Singapore, Roberto Soares and the Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste, Tetsuya Kimura.