DILI, 28 september 2023 (TATOLI) –The Government of Timor-Leste through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MoFAC), and the Government of Japan, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, today discussed the revision of the development cooperation charter.
Marcos dos Reis da Costa, Director-General of Bilateral Affairs of MoFAC, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, conducted the dialogue to discuss the revision of the development cooperation charter in the sectors of economics, infrastructure, education, and others.
“Timor-Leste and Japan Policy Dialogue aims to discuss Timor-Leste ‘s economic situation, challenges, and development policies and how the Government of Japan can engage to review the development cooperation charter in Timor-Leste,” Director-General of Bilateral Affairs, Marcos da Costa told reporters in the office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Praia dos Coqueiros, Dili, on thursday.
He added that this dialog meeting also discussed the macroeconomic situation, policies of the new administration, including agendas and sectors of priority for the next five years, as well as the priority areas and challenges for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) membership.
At the same place, Naoaki Kamoshida, Director of the first Country Assistance Planning Division, International Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, said Timor-Leste had become dialogue partners; therefore, Japan wishes to continue the mutual cooperation in the various sectors of Timor-Leste.
“Japan will continue to support Timor-Leste based on Timor- Leste’s priority areas; therefore, we wish to know what kind of development Japan will support Timor-Leste in the five years coming,” he said.
KAMOSHIDA revealed that to continue the development partners, Japan commits to reviewing the development cooperation charter aiming to enhance engagement with developing countries. Coordinated cooperation based on transparent and fair rules is required.
“Therefore, further enhanced coordination and mobilization of funds are necessary. Japan reviews the Charter to present a new direction for developing cooperation in order to make a further effective and strategic use of developing cooperation as one of the most important tools of its diplomacy based on the common value according to the democracy in Timor-Leste,” he concluded.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo