Govt approves four-year defence partnership program with Portugal
DÍLI, 29 July 2026 (TATOLI) — The Council of Ministers, on Wednesday approved the Framework Program for Cooperation between Timor-Leste and Portugal in the Field of Defence for the period 2025–2028, reaffirming the two countries’ longstanding defence partnership and expanding collaboration in military training, maritime security and emerging security challenges.
The programme was approved following a proposal by the Minister of Defence, Donaciano do Rosário Gomes, and provides a four-year framework for strengthening bilateral cooperation in defence and security.
“This Framework Cooperation Program aims to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation between Timor-Leste and Portugal, promoting political and strategic dialogue and the development of the institutional, technical, and operational capabilities of the National Defence and FALINTIL—Timor-Leste Defence Forces (F-FDTL),” said in a statement.
The Programme provides for training, education, and professional development initiatives for personnel in Timor-Leste and Portugal, as well as the strengthening of good governance in the defence sector and the operational capabilities of the naval, land, and air components.
The Program also covers cooperation in strategic areas such as military health, maritime security and state authority at sea, participation in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, crisis management and response to natural disasters, as well as in the fields of cyber defence, information technology, cartography, hydrography, oceanography, the defence industry, climate change, and the “Women, Peace, and Security” agenda. It also provides for deepening political dialogue on maritime security and for promoting trilateral cooperation initiatives with other states or with international, regional, and subregional organisations.
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