The Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Díli, March 18, 2012
Prime Minister to visit Japan and Indonesia
Prime Minister, His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, is traveling on an official visit to Japan and Indonesia this week. The trip is an opportunity to further enhance Timor-Leste’s good relationship with both nations.
Japan has been a major development partner since 1999 when the first donor conference for Timor-Leste was held in Tokyo. Since that time the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in association with the Government of Japan has been consistently offering support in areas including agriculture and rural development, the maintenance and improvement of infrastructure, and human capacity development. Japanese NGOs have also made contributions in Timor-Leste in a coordinated way, working with respect and seeking alignment with National Priorities. Timorese students are currently benefitting from training in Japan including six F-FDTL personnel currently studying at the National Defense Academy.
In Japan the Prime Minister will meet his counterpart His Excellency Prime Minister Yoshihiko Nodaand exchange notes concerning a Japanese loan extended to promote the economic stabilization and development efforts of Timor-Leste. The Minister of Finance, who is also traveling to Japan, will meet with officials in order to sign the related loan agreement.
In other meetings the Prime Minister will update Japanese officials on the progress of Timor-Leste and encourage further investment and interaction between Japan and Timor-Leste. Prime Minister Gusmão will also address local and international media.
Following the visit to Japan the Prime Minister will travel directly to Jakarta, Indonesia for the 2nd Jakarta International Defense Dialogue (JIDD) hosted by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Along with other dignitaries including United Nations General Secretary Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Prime Minister Gusmão, who is also Timor-Leste’s Minister for Defense and Security, will deliver a keynote address.
The Jakarta International Defense Dialogue will bring together delegations from over 35 countries and is an important forum to strengthen Timor-Leste’s multilateral and regional security co-operation. Prime Minister Gusmao’s participation in the dialogue and its associated meetings will serve to further enhance the already close and friendly relationship with Indonesia, Timor-Leste’s nearest neighbor.