DILI, 14 march 2022 (TATOLI) – The Australian Government through the Australian Ambassador to Timor – Leste, William Costello, held a meeting with the Government of Timor – Leste through the Minister of Defense, Filomeno Paixão at the Ministry of Defense ‘s office Fatuhada Dili today.
During the meeting, the Australian Ambassador Costello and the Minister of Defense of Timor – Leste, Filomeno Paixão discussed bilateral cooperation in the defense sector.
“We discussed all the draft agreements regarding the bilateral cooperation, particularly in the military field to empower the Timor-Leste Defense Liberation Army (F-FDTL) in general, and in specially in Navy area,” Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste William Costello told reporters at the Ministry of Defense’s office Fatuhada, Dili.
The Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste Costello, confirmed that Australia will remain committed to continue the cooperation in the defense sector and will facilitate two Guardian boats to F-FDTL in 2023, october to be used in conducting the patrols in the Timor Sea.
“At the Government- to- Government level, our longstanding defense and policing cooperation continue to deliver good results. During my term, Australia will be gifting two Guardian-class patrol boats to F-FDTL in october 2023, and upgrading infrastructure at Hera Port, contributing to a substantial increase in F-FDTL maritime capacity. We will also work more broadly on maritime and border security,” the Australian Ambassador, Costello added.
At the same place, the Minister of Defense of Timor-Leste, Filomeno Paixão, informed that, the meeting which held by the Australian Ambassador in Timor-Leste together with the Minister of Defense of Timor-Leste, today discussed, four important elements, namely; The draft agreement signing between the Ministry of Defense and a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). SOFA is an agreement between a host country and a foreign nation stationed military force in that country.
SOFAs are multilateral or bilateral agreements that generally establish the framework under which U.S. military personnel operate in a foreign country and how domestic laws of the foreign jurisdiction apply toward the U.S. personnel in that country. Maritime security, infrastructure of Hera Port. FFDTL training, maintenance and the operation of two Guardian class patrols. Cooperation with Australia regarding the capacity of F-FDTL in dealing with natural disasters and finally discussing Peace Keeping Operations to support infrastructure in rural areas and also discussing the master plan of F-FDTL strategic plan in the Metinaro and Baucau which will be carried out from 2022-2027.
“We discussed four important things, which have been done, are being done and will be done in the future at the meeting. Australia is committed to supporting F-FDTL in various aspects to professionalize F-FDTL in the future,” said the Minister of Defense, Filiomeno Paixão.
The Australian Ambassador in Timor-Leste also informed that the two Guardian class patrol boats are currently still under construction, and will be completed next year. Therefore, F-FDTL will send 60 F-FDTL members from the Navy to Australia to be trained in order that they can operate two Guardian boats in a professional manner to protect the sovereignty of the territory of Timor – Leste.
Previously, F-FDTL already had two patrol boats from China, but it was not sufficient to conduct the patrol in the Timor Sea. Hoped that, with the addition of two Guardian boats, which will be donated by Australia in 2023 in the coming october will be sufficient to carry out the maritime patrols routinely in southern, northern, western and eastern parts to safeguard the sovereignty across the territory of Timor – Leste.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor : Rafy Belo
