DILI, 12 april 2022 (TATOLI) – The Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Bill Castello, and Minister of Defense, Filomeno da Paixão de Jesus held a meeting, today, at the Headquarters of the National Defense Force (F-FDTL) to discuss the current situation in the Indo Pacific region.
“During the meeting, Ambassador Castello updated the vision and policy of the security pact ‘AUKUS’ signed by the UK, US, and Australia,” said in a statement released on tuesday.
The statement said that as an Island country located in the Indo Pacific, Timor-Leste deserved to know the vision and policy of the AUKUS.
The Security PACT was announced on september 15, 2021, in a joint virtual press conference between US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison, BBC reported.
On the following day after the announcement of the Security Pact, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the pact would “preserve security and stability around the world” and generate “hundreds of high-skilled jobs.”
In addition, at the meeting, Ambassador Castello also expressed his eagerness to know the progress of the ongoing construction of the Hera Naval Port.
Castello also expressed his contentment with the good mark obtained by Timor-Leste’s Navy officers who were sent to have training and capacity building in Australia.
“With knowledge and capacity gained through the training would enable them to operate the two Austal-built Guardian Class Patrol Boats (GPBs) that would be handed over by the government of Australia to Timor-Leste, next year,” said the statement.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
