The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Federated States of Micronesia formally established diplomatic relations by signing a Joint Communiqué on June 24th, 2026 at the Embassy of Timor-Leste in Canberra, Australia. The ceremony marked the official start of bilateral relations between the two sovereign states.
The Joint Communiqué was signed by the Ambassadors of Timor-Leste and the Federated States of Micronesia to Australia, Inês Maria de Almeida and Jane J. Chigiyal. The signing was witnessed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, during his official visit to Australia.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Jane J. Chigiyal highlighted the shared values of the two countries and their cooperation across various multilateral forums, notably the United Nations, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), the Group of 77 (G77), the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States (ACP), and the Pacific Islands Forum. She noted that the establishment of diplomatic relations adds a bilateral dimension to this cooperation and expressed confidence in its strengthening.
Ambassador Inês Maria de Almeida emphasised that the signing of the Joint Communiqué marks the start of a new chapter of friendship, solidarity, and partnership between Timor-Leste and the Federated States of Micronesia. She also highlighted the two countries’ shared commitment to defending sovereignty, promoting sustainable development, strengthening climate action, protecting marine ecosystems, and defending the interests of Small Island Developing States.
Both sides reaffirmed their intention to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including climate resilience, ocean governance, sustainable economic development, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and cooperation among the island nations of the Pacific and Southeast Asia.
The establishment of diplomatic relations provides a new framework for political dialogue and bilateral cooperation between Timor-Leste and the Federated States of Micronesia, thereby strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two countries.