DILI, 28 june 2021 (TATOLI)- United States of America (USA) trough its ambassador to Timor-Leste Kevin Blackstone and Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Territory, José Maria do Reis Signed two important Memorandum of Understanding on june, 28, 2021 at the Office of the Ministry of Planning and Territory (MPO) launching the joint rehabilitation of Baucau Airfield, and intent to engage in good faith discussion regarding potential U.S Government support the civil aviation sector in Timor-Leste.
The Government of Timor-Leste requested U.S. government assistance to rehabilitate Baucau Airfield in 2018,and this memorandum of Understanding reflects the U.S. Commitment to support that request.
The project funded by the United State Department of Defense allocates an initial $10.6 million intended to enhance Timor-Leste ‘s capacity in the area of security, humanitarian assistance, and sister response operation to contribute to the development of a resilient and diversified economy.
This includes support to the development of the F-FDTL’s air component and small- scale construction to improve security and storage capabilities at Baucau Airfield.
The project includes the donationation of an American made Cessna 206 aircraft, the installation of security fence, the construction of equipment storage warehouse, and high quality American Equipment to include a fuel truck ,fire truck, forklift, two Ford F-30 utility trucks, a runway sweeper, and other support vehicles and airport security equipment
The aircraft will come with high-tech cameras the F-FDTL can use to monitor Timor-Leste ‘ s territorial waters as well as respond to natural disaster.
Ambassador Blackstone and Vice Prime Minister dos Reis also signed a memorandum of Understanding signifying the two government ‘s intent to engage in good – Faith discussions regarding potential U.S. support for the development of Timor-Leste ‘ civil aviation sector, including discussion on the training of human resources for the operation of the civil airports of Timor-Leste and development of civil aviation operations.
Ambassador Blackstone praised the Memoranda Motong that it demonstrates the close security cooperation and economic ties between the two countries.
“I am proud of the close, mutual partnership between the United States and Timor-Leste,” said Ambassador Kevin Blackstone.
These Memoranda signify the long standing security and economic relationship between the United State and Timor-Leste. The joint rehabilitation of Bacau Airfield is the latest example of bilateral cooperation. We are proud to support the development of F-FDTL’s air component, which Will aid in the protection of Timor-Leste’s sovereignty and economic rights. In addition to National security, the Bacau Airfield project creates opportunities for economic development, including tourism, throughout the Eastern part of the country. The United States ‘s pleased to support Timor-Leste’s efforts to promote its economic diversification and recovery,” said Blackstone to Journalist of TATOLI News Agency in Hudi Laran on monday.
In the same place Deputy Prime Minister Jose Maria dos Reis said that for many years the United States had been a great partner for Timor-Leste in various aspects such as education, health, defense, infrastructure and others with the aim of contributing to sustainable development in Timor-Leste.
On June 28, 2021 Timor-Leste and the United States had signed Memorandum of Understanding as a reaffirmation for bilateral relations between the two countries and to be a general compromise in developing the economy of Timor-Leste.
With these two Memorandums of Understanding, Timor-Leste and the United States will take the initiative to immediately start this rehabilitation project, Airfield Bacau, and will also initiate discussions between the two parties regarding the potential support sector for Timor-Leste’s civil aviation that will assist the development of programs to promote economic development and diversification for the field of civil aviation.
On this occasion on behalf of the Government of Timor-Leste I would like to thank the Government of the United States of America for this cooperation, and We will always continue to work together to develop Timor-Leste in the future.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafy Belo
