President Ramos-Horta welcomes Northern Territory Chief Minister to reaffirm strategic partnership
DÍLI, 8 September 2026 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, on Tuesday received the Chief Minister of Australia’s Northern Territory, Lia Finocchiaro, at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace.
The high-level meeting underscored the deep, enduring friendship and proximity shared between Timor-Leste and its closest neighbor.
During the visit, both leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to executing the Strategic Partnership Agreement, focusing on delivering tangible, mutual benefits for the people of both.
The discussions highlighted a shared vision for expanding cooperation across critical sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and healthcare.
Chief Minister Finocchiaro praised the ongoing success of joint capability-building initiatives, noting the recent arrival of Timorese medical professionals for practical training at Charles Darwin University.
Addressing labor mobility, the Chief Minister provided strong assurances that Timorese citizens working in the Northern Territory under the PALM scheme are highly respected, fairly compensated, and embraced in a safe, welcoming environment described as a “home away from home.”
The commitment to establish a joint task force will help streamline these strategic priorities, paving the way for greater economic investment, capacity building, and even new cultural exchanges through sports like Rugby League.
The President looks forward to further strengthening this robust alliance through continued dialogues and upcoming visits from Northern Territory delegations.
TATOLI
