DILI, 14 February 2025 (TATOLI) – Outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Donna Ann Welton, has bid farewell to Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão, as she concludes her tenure in Timor-Leste.
The farewell meeting between Gusmão and Welton centered on key areas of cooperation between the two countries.
“We covered all aspects of the cooperation between our two countries. It was a good review,” Ambassador Welton told reporters at the Government Palace in Dili today
Welton thanked Prime Minister and expressed her appreciation for his efforts to strengthen the relationship between the two countries, throughout her tenure as the ambassador of the U.S. to Timor-Leste.
“I will be departing shortly because I am going to retire and I wanted to visit the Prime Minister to express my appreciation and deep gratitude for the good cooperation and strong partnership that we have in Timor-Leste,” said Welton.
Ambassador Welton was accredited to Timor-Leste on July 16, 2024, and up to now, she has served for almost seven months.
Welton was confirmed by the U.S. Congress on May 7, 2024, and formally presented her letter of credence to the President of Timor-Leste on July 16, 2024.
With more than 30 years’ experience in the Foreign Service, Ambassador Welton has held key positions in strategic communications and political affairs at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. Prior to her recent confirmation, Ambassador Welton served as acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Programs and Operations in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs and in PM/SNA as lead negotiator for bilateral defense agreements that involve access, status protections, and burden sharing.
She also previously served as Assistant Chief of Mission in Kabul and as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. embassy in Helsinki, Finland, where she served for over 18 months as Chargé d’affaires.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
