The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, met with the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, on March 5^th, 2024, on the sidelines of the Summit commemorating the 50th anniversary of Australia’s dialogue partnership with ASEAN, held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

At this meeting, the two leaders discussed strengthening and expanding the bilateral cooperation established over time to promote essential sectors that benefit the populations of both neighbouring countries.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão congratulated Anthony Albanese on 50 years of partnership and dialogue between Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and thanked him for the invitation to participate in this Summit as an ASEAN observer country. 

Anthony Albanese welcomed Xanana Gusmão and reaffirmed Australia’s support for Timor-Leste’s full membership of ASEAN.

Several issues related to diplomatic relations and the long-standing bilateral cooperation between the two sides were discussed at the meeting, highlighting the joint commitment to strengthening and expanding this collaboration. 

In addition to the two Heads of Government, the Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Rangel, Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to Australia, Inês de Almeida, the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Elizabeth Exposto, and the technical team were also present. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, and other members of the Australian Government accompanied the Prime Minister of Australia.