New Cooperation Programme between Timor-Leste and Portugal Guarantees Investment in Strategic Areas until 2028
On October 14th, 2024, the Government of Timor-Leste and the Government of Portugal signed the Strategic Cooperation Programme for the period 2024-2028, which provides financial support of €75 million (approximately US$82 million). This programme aims to strengthen bilateral relations and contribute to the sustainable development of Timor-Leste through a series of actions in five priority areas: Human Development, Rule of Law and Good Governance, Public Administration and Public Finance, Youth and Employment, and Oceans, Sustainability and Infrastructures.
During the ceremony, which the Prime Ministers of both countries attended, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and Luís Montenegro, two additional agreements were also signed, one on heritage rehabilitation and the other on infrastructure cooperation, strengthening cooperation in the areas of civil engineering, transport, telecommunications, energy and water. These agreements aim to promote the modernisation of Timor-Leste and support the country's economic growth. 
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, during the press conference, emphasised the importance of this cooperation, “above all in consolidating the construction of the Timorese State” and for the training that [Portugal] “will help Timor-Leste to give to young Timorese”, making it possible to guarantee “security in the nation-building, through a sustainable economy”.
The Head of the Government also stated that as Timor-Leste is “a new country”, still with “many difficulties” and “many challenges”, he counts on “Portugal's prompt solidarity” “to allow us, in the Government, or in the State institutions, to work for the well-being of the Timorese” and the “creation of conditions for Timorese children and young people”. 
Luís Montenegro, Prime Minister of Portugal, said that signing these agreements reflects “the unbreakable relationship of friendship, solidarity and cooperation” between the two countries. Montenegro also emphasised that “Portugal is stepping up to help Timor-Leste in various achievements that are building a new, modern and efficient state, in terms of the service it provides to the people”. He also announced that he would be visiting Timor-Leste in June 2025 at the invitation of Xanana Gusmão. 
The Strategic Cooperation Programme 2024-2028 was signed by Bendito dos Santos Freitas, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, and Paulo Rangel, the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of Portugal. The Infrastructure Cooperation Agreement was signed by the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment of Timor-Leste, Gastão de Sousa. Lastly, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs and Tourism and Environment of Timor-Leste, and Pedro Reis, Minister of Economy of Portugal, signed the Protocol of Cooperation for the Development of the Revive Programme. 
The official visit of the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste to Portugal, which runs from October 12th to 18th, 2024, also includes an audience with the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and will also include meetings with senior representatives of the Government and the Portuguese Parliament, as well as a visit to the Autonomous Region of the Azores, where Xanana Gusmão will visit projects related to the blue economy.
