DILI, 19 may 2021 (TATOLI)- Government Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adaljiza Magno, and the Ambassador of Australia to Timor-Leste, Peter Roberts has exchanged the Diplomatic Notes on Air Service agreement which was signed on May 26, 2017, allowing for the monitoring of the country’s airspace that is expected to have a frequency of 21 flights per week.
Following the statement released from the MFAO, this Agreement comes into force on the same date.
“With this new agreement, it is possible to establish the connectivity on commercial flights between two countries and attract investment, future tourism, and making Timor-Leste visible to the International Community,” the statement said.
It is said that The Timor-Leste Government, which recognizes Australia as the initiating country, completed its domestic ratification process in October 2019, followed by ratification by Timor-Leste through the National Parliament on 26 January 2021.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adaljiza Magno recognizes this event marks another significant step forward in the history of joint endeavors between Timor-Leste and Australia in the area of connectivity.
“Timor-Leste appreciate the Government of Australia’s support in making this connectivity become a reality. Even though the ASA is still in process, the Government has continued to facilitate the Air North and Qantas flights between Darwin and Dili throughout the years, ensuring people and goods continue to flow as a means to generate economic recovery due to the pandemic of COVID-19, to ensure that Timor-Leste is not isolated from the world,” Ms Magno said in a statement.
Ms. Magno added that this agreement is also a sign of the strong friendship and cohesion between Timor-Leste and Australia.
“Our relationship is only getting stronger. A friend, we can seek and choose, but a neighbor cannot be chosen, because he or she is there already when needed”m” Ms. Magno said.
Minister Magno was accompanied by the representative of the Office of Prime Minister, Ministry of Transport and Communications and the President of Timor-Leste’s Civil Aviation.
TATOLI
