DILI, 01 march 2024 (TATOLI) – The UK government will open British embassy in Timor-Leste’s capital city, Dili.
On her second visit to Timor-Leste, UK Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, announced plans to open the British Embassy in Dili, an important step towards strengthening bilateral relations with Timor-Leste.
“Today … I am pleased to announce that the UK government intends to open our Embassy in Dili, a demonstration of the UK’s commitment to the Timorese people,” said Minister Trevelyan after meeting Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, at the Government Palace, in Dili, on friday (01/03).
She said that UK and Timor-Leste are old friends with strong ties: “I am proud that our work touches the lives of Timorese across the whole country. So it is absolutely right that the UK should have a permanent presence here in Timor-Leste. The reopening of a permanent UK presence in Dili will mark the next stage in our closer bilateral relations.”
“So I am greatly looking forward to the earlier establishment of our British Embassy here in Dili as we continue our partnership with Timor-Leste in support of your Economic Development and prosperity for the Timorese,” said Trevelyan.
Trevelyan reiterated UK’s commitment to supporting Timor-Leste on health and nutrition, gender equality, and Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN, which he pledged during her three-day visit to Dili, in october 2023.
“We’ve had some really useful discussions on a number of issues both local and national and thinking about how our partnership in the years ahead can continue to grow, including … in support of your accession to ASEAN and looking more widely around economic development, health and nutrition,” she concluded.
Prime Minister Gusmão thanked Minister Trevelyan for her announcement of the UK’s commitment to establish the British Embassy in Dili.
“I want to thank the UK for its commitment to supporting us in various areas, including education, health, and nutrition, among others,” said Gusmão.
Currently, the British Embassy in Jakarta is responsible for developing and maintaining relations between the United Kingdom and Timor-Leste. Staff from the Embassy in Jakarta visit Timor-Leste regularly. Although the bilateral relationship between the two countries is limited, the UK retains a keen interest in developments in Timor-Leste.
Dominic Jermey is the current British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
