The Minister for International Development and the Pacific and Minister for Defence Industry of the Government of Australia, Pat Conroy MP, is on an official visit to Timor-Leste on January 29th and 30th, 2024, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation between Timor-Leste and Australia. 
After arriving in the country, the Australian minister was welcomed at the Government Palace by the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, and also met with the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Agio Pereira.
During these meetings, several important issues were discussed, from bilateral cooperation to regional and global dynamics and Pat Conroy’s long emotional connection as an activist for the Timorese cause during the struggle for national liberation. 
Among the cooperation projects discussed were the programs under the responsibility of Pat Conroy’s Ministry, such as the Pacific-Australia Labour Mobility Program (PALM) and the seasonal work program.
Another of the subjects discussed was cooperation in defence and security, as part of the Reciprocal Defence Cooperation Agreement signed between the two countries to increase cooperation in defence and security, especially in the maritime area, given the shared border and adjacent maritime zones. In this context, training actions for the national military personnel in responding to natural disasters and humanitarian support were also mentioned. Timor-Leste will also receive two maritime patrol boats from Australia later this year. Regarding education, the leaders addressed the training and capacity building of human resources at a general level and in preparation for ASEAN. 
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and Minister Agio also presented the programs and priorities of the 9th Constitutional Government for its mandate. Following these priorities, Pat Conroy pledged Australia’s willingness to directly support Timor-Leste. Pat Conroy also reiterated Australia’s support for Timor-Leste’s accession processes to ASEAN and the World Trade Organization.
Minister Agio Pereira stated that “this visit marks another important moment in the bilateral relations between Timor-Leste and Australia” and pointed out that “over the years, after the restoration of Timor-Leste’s independence in 2002, bilateral relations between Timor-Leste and Australia have continuously strengthened, based on solid facts, given that our two countries are close neighbours with a shared history, strong people-to-people ties and partnerships in various development sectors”. 
Also, on the first day of his official visit, Pat Conroy visited the National Centre for Employment and Vocational Training (CNEFP – acronym in Portuguese) in Tibar, in the municipality of Liquiçá, where he had lunch with former PALM Program participants.
The ambassadors of Timor-Leste and Australia, Inês Almeida and Caitlin Wilson, took part in these meetings.
Tomorrow, the Australian Minister will visit the Hera Naval Base and meet with the Ministers of Defence and Interior, Donaciano do Rosário Gomes and Francisco da Costa Guterres, respectively, to discuss bilateral cooperation in defence and security.