DILI, 25 June 2026 (TATOLI) — Timor-Leste and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), on Wednesday, marked a historic milestone in their bilateral relations with the signing of a Joint Communiqué establishing formal diplomatic relations between the two sovereign nations.
The Joint Communiqué was signed by Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to Australia, Inês Maria de Almeida, and the Federated States of Micronesia’s Ambassador to Australia, Jane J. Chigiyal, during a ceremony held at the Embassy of Timor-Leste in Canberra.
The signing was witnessed by Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste.
In her remarks, Ambassador Chigiyal highlighted the shared values and common aspirations of both nations, emphasizing their longstanding cooperation in multilateral fora, including the United Nations, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), the Group of 77 (G77), the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group, and the Pacific Islands Forum.
She noted that the establishment of diplomatic relations adds an important bilateral dimension to an already strong partnership and expressed confidence in further deepening cooperation between the two countries.
Ambassador Almeida welcomed the agreement as the beginning of a new chapter of friendship, solidarity, and partnership between two resilient island nations.
She underscored the shared commitment of Timor-Leste and the Federated States of Micronesia to safeguarding their sovereignty, advancing sustainable development, strengthening climate action, protecting marine ecosystems, and promoting the interests of Small Island Developing States.
Both sides reaffirmed their determination to work closely on issues of mutual interest, including climate resilience, ocean governance, sustainable economic development, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and cooperation between Pacific and Southeast Asian island nations.
The establishment of diplomatic relations reflects the shared vision of Timor-Leste and the Federated States of Micronesia for a peaceful, sustainable, and prosperous future and lays the foundation for enhanced bilateral engagement and cooperation in the years ahead.
TATOLI
