SNIE, Migration Service sign agreement to combat transnational crime
DÍLI, 29 July 2026 (TATOLI) — Timor-Leste’s National Strategic Intelligence Service (SNIE) and the Timor-Leste Migration Service (SMTL) on Tuesday signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen border security, improve migration management and enhance efforts to prevent transnational crime.
The agreement was signed by SNIE Director-General Longuinhos Monteiro and SMTL Executive Director Jorge Monteiro during a ceremony at the Government Palace in Dili, witnessed by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.
The agreement establishes a formal framework for cooperation between the two institutions to improve coordination, facilitate information sharing and develop joint mechanisms to prevent, analyse and respond to national security threats and transnational crime.
Speaking at the ceremony, Gusmão said stronger cooperation among state institutions is essential to ensuring a coordinated response to increasingly complex security challenges.
“This agreement represents an important step in strengthening the state’s capacity to protect national security, safeguard the integrity of our borders and respond more effectively to emerging threats,” the Prime Minister said.
He said the security of a modern state depends not only on its ability to respond to threats but also on anticipating risks, producing strategic intelligence and ensuring close coordination among institutions responsible for protecting national interests.
Gusmão warned that growing global mobility creates new opportunities for economic and social development but also increases the risk of cross-border crimes, including human trafficking, financial crime, online fraud and other forms of transnational organised crime.
Under the agreement, SNIE and SMTL will strengthen secure and responsible information-sharing mechanisms involving migration and strategic intelligence data.
SMTL will remain responsible for collecting and managing information on border crossings, visas, residency and migration movements, while SNIE will use the data to identify trends, assess risks and support strategic decision-making.
The Prime Minister said protecting the country’s borders and national interests requires a whole-of-government approach, with migration management, strategic intelligence, internal security, economic enforcement, cybersecurity and international cooperation working together under Timor-Leste’s Integrated National Security System.
SNIE Director-General Longuinhos Monteiro described the agreement as a significant milestone in strengthening the country’s ability to anticipate and prevent security threats while reinforcing cooperation among state institutions.
SMTL Executive Director Jorge Monteiro reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to working closely with SNIE to improve migration management and strengthen border control and national security mechanisms.
Journalist: Afonso do Rosário
Editor: Isaura Lemos de Deus
Translation: Filomeno Martins
