DILI, 19 May 2026 (TATOLI) — Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas on Monday met Canada’s Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste Jess Dutton at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in Dili, where both sides discussed ways to deepen economic engagement and strengthen bilateral cooperation.
The meeting focused on exploring opportunities to deepen commercial engagement and expand economic cooperation between the two countries, including investment in strategic sectors essential to Timor-Leste’s socio-economic development.
Discussions also covered the advancement of bilateral cooperation in key priority areas of mutual interest, including education and diplomatic training, food security, renewable energy, mining and petroleum, and infrastructure development.
The two sides further exchanged views on potential technical assistance to support Timor-Leste’s ASEAN integration process and preparations for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029.
During his visit to Dili, Ambassador Jess Dutton is also scheduled to meet with Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste; Filipus Nino Pereira, Minister of Commerce and Industry; and Helder Lopes, Governor of the Central Bank of Timor-Leste.
Ambassador Dutton is accompanied by representatives from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, including the Managing Director and Head of Asia-Pacific of Export Development Canada, as well as members of a Canadian trade and business delegation.
Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation and translating mutual understanding into concrete and impactful outcomes that contribute to sustainable development, shared prosperity, and the promotion of peace, stability, and regional cooperation.
TATOLI
