DILI, 06 June 2025 (TATOLI) – On Friday, 6 June 2025, Timor-Leste hosted the 15th Ministerial Meeting between the Portuguese-Speaking African Countries and Timor-Leste (PALOP-TL) and the European Union (EU) in its capital, Díli, where leaders reaffirmed their commitment to democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and sustainable development through the adoption of the Díli Declaration
The declaration lays out the future roadmap for cooperation, highlighting the success of several EU-funded initiatives. Among them, PRO PALOP-TL has been recognized for advancing budget transparency and promoting gender equality; PRO CULTURA for revitalizing the cultural sector and creating jobs; and PRO JUST for its role in strengthening criminal justice systems and supporting anti-corruption efforts.
The Díli Declaration also underlines the strategic importance of initiatives like the Global Gateway and Global Europe, which aim to mobilize sustainable investments and align projects with the national and regional priorities of PALOP-TL countries.
Key commitments outlined in the Dili Declaration include:
- Strengthen inter-institutional coordination and formalize Public Policy Dialogues to ensure a transparent, collaborative, and sustainable governance structure for the partnership.
- Ensure active and continuous involvement of all key stakeholders and national authorities in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects, promoting national ownership and the integration of local experts and human resources.
- Mobilize necessary resources to sustain ongoing actions and align future projects with both the EU’s strategic priorities—particularly the Global Gateway initiative—and the national policies and strategies of the PALOP-TL countries.
- Enhance the visibility of the partnership as a model of effective regional cooperation by strengthening institutional communication and systematically documenting activities and results to preserve institutional memory.
- Accelerate the launch and execution of projects by introducing and expanding the use of digital and technological tools to improve operational efficiency and enhance data collection and monitoring systems.
- Promote and consolidate South-South and triangular cooperation, and encourage the exchange of best practices among PALOP-TL countries and other regional and international partners, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
- Confirm the next technical meeting in Mozambique for the first half of 2026 and the next ministerial meeting in Brussels in 2027.
- Mandate the Presidency of the 15th Ministerial Meeting—Timor-Leste—to follow up on the implementation of this Declaration, and to formally present it to the President of the European Commission, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and the Commissioner for International Partnerships.
In this context, leaders acknowledged the strategic opportunity presented by Timor-Leste’s upcoming accession to ASEAN, expected in October 2025, which they see as a pivotal step toward enhancing regional synergy and influence.
The meeting also confirmed that the next technical meeting will take place in Mozambique in the first half of 2026, followed by the next ministerial meeting in Brussels in 2027.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Timor-Leste’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bendito Freitas, emphasized the growing importance of triangular cooperation in addressing global challenges such as climate change and ocean-related issues.
“These partnerships are essential to achieving sustainable development in an increasingly demanding global context,” Freitas stated.
Mozambique’s Minister of Justice, Mateus da Cecília Saize, echoed this sentiment, noting, “No country develops in isolation.” He commended the EU’s support for justice and cultural initiatives and confirmed that Maputo will host the 2026 technical meeting to prepare for the next phase of cooperation.
Carla Grijó, the EU Ambassador to Cabo Verde, stressed that member countries have begun a strategic reflection on the future of the partnership, aiming to align programs with new EU instruments such as the Global Gateway, in order to expand impact and modernize cooperation mechanisms.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Timor-Leste officially assumed the Political Presidency of PALOP-TL, taking over from Guinea-Bissau, with the responsibility of conveying the Díli Declaration to senior representatives of the European Union.
Journalist: Afonso do Rosário
Editor: Maria Auxiliadora
Translation: Camilio de Sousans
