DILI, 14 august 2024 (TATOLI) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MFAC), Bendito dos Santos Freitas held a bilateral meeting with the Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Komura Masahiro, and a delegation discussing bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
During the meeting, the Japanese government committed to supporting the Government of Timor-Leste in the infrastructure sector, particularly in the Health Sector by donating almost US$21 million for the rehabilitation of the National Hospital, Guido Valadares.
This support is being carried out through the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Japan and Timor-Leste signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, Bendito Freitas and Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, KOMURA Masahiro, on wednesday, August 14th, at the MFAC Central Headquarters, in Dili.
“This act reflects very important and historic support because Timor-Leste is in the process of development and really needs support in the health sector. This Support from the Government of Japan constitutes a maximum value of 3.093 Billion of Japanese currency, (equivalent to American Dollars of $20,093.10 Million) which will contribute to the development of the infrastructure of our National Hospital, Guido Valadares”, said Minister Freitas.
This donation from the Government of Tokyo in the health sector and other areas is part of the agenda of the visit of the Head of the Government of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, when he met with the Prime Minister of Japan on the occasion of the 50th ASEAN Summit – Japan held in December 2023, in Japan.
Japan, as one of the strategic partners, raised funds through the donor meeting held in Tokyo in 1999 with the intention of supporting the development of Timor-Leste. The bilateral relationship between Timor-Leste and Japan is not only at the government level but also in the relationship between leaders, which more deeply emphasizes the friendly relations between the two countries.
On the other hand, the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, KOMURA Masahiro highlighted that this meeting was to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries through the improvement of infrastructure in the health sector and strengthen cooperation in the economic and others, beyond.
At the same meeting, regional and international challenges were also discussed to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the Democratic Rule of Law.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
