The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zacarias Albano da Costa, accompanied by his delegation, is currently undertaking an official visit to Japan, where he arrived on March 7 and was received by the Ambassador of Timor-Leste in Japan, Isilio Coelho.

Upon arrival, Zacarias Albano da Costa said that “the purpose of my visit is to strengthen diplomatic and bilateral relations with Japan. Japan is a country that has always supported Timor-Leste in many areas, including training the Timor-Leste armed forces. This visit marks 10 years of diplomatic relations established between Japan and Timor-Leste and also, coincidentally, the celebration of the tenth anniversary of Restoration of Independence”.

In the afternoon, the Minister of Foreign Affairs visited the Japan National Defense Academy where he was received warmly by the Japanese authorities, including the President of the National Defense Academy, Makoto Lokibi, accompanied by his officers and staff from military bodies. On the same occasion, Zacarias Albano da Costa held a meeting with the six members of the F-FDTL who are attending the training course at that Academy.

“I’m glad to visit this Academy and have had the opportunity to meet with the six members of the F-FDTL, visiting the site where they are accommodated and I I will pass on our discussions  directly to the Prime Minister, who is also Minister of Defense and Security. In addition to attending military training, the Timorese officers are also learning the Japanese language and other training courses, for example, the course of civil and environmental engineering”.

On March 8, Thursday, the Minister Zacarias Albano da Costa will have the opportunity to meet with the Ambassadors of ASEAN, to attend meetings with the Vice-President of JICA, the representative of the National Federation of Businessmen, and will finish the day with a meeting with his counterpart, Japan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Koichiro Gemba.