DILI, 29 january 2021 (TATOLI)– Timor-Leste Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEC) and The European Union (EU) held a 6th high level of political dialogue under the article 8 of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of State-EU Partnership agreement on 28 january 2021.
The meetings took stock of achievements in the partnership between Timor-Leste and the EU since the last Dialogue held in Dili in May 2019 and discuss key developments in the EU and TL also highlighted the strong commitment to further strengthening the partnerships between EU and TL in the fields of international and political relations, climate action, trade and development.
During the dialogue both sides reviewed about the impact of covid-19 pandemic on public health and the support provided by the European Union, amounting to € 13million which is part of the Team Europe €120 million response package for Timor-Leste and the pacific region.
“Timor-Leste has updated the situation of covid-19 and the vaccine to be implemented in Timor-Leste, at the same time our discussions are focused on our program for economy recovery that will be implemented for the economy versification,” Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adalzija dos Reis Magno highlighted in the press conference held at the Foreign Affaris office.
“We also provided an update on Timor-Leste accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the EU welcomed Timor-Leste’s letter of intent in view of joining the Interim Economic Partnerships Agreement (EPA) between the EU and the Pacific States, and looks forward to Timor-Leste’s submission of an accession request together with a Market Access Offer to the Parties to the Agreement (Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and the EU itself) for decision,” she said.
The EU Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Adrew Jacob, commended the government of Timor-Leste for its effective COVID-19 response as well as the government strategies for economy recovery during the post-covid with the promise to continue further support to Timor-Leste.
“We discuss about the future recovery program and the covid-19 program as well as the support that will provide for the strategies implementations through the new programs prepare by the Government of Timor-Leste thus we also committed to support Timor-Leste base on our program,” Andrewe Jacob said
thus The programs outlined by European Union focus on the ocean governance, biodiversity and climate change. EU also presented its policy priorities on ocean governancce, biodiversity and climate change.
in addition to this Mr Jacob said, the focus will also the economy diversification, development of rural life and combating malnutrition in Timor-Leste.
TATOLI
