DILI, 25 february 2022 (TATOLI)- The President of the Republic, Francisco Guterres “Lú Olo received the credential letters from the ambassador designated by Australia, William Costello at the Palace Presidential today.
After meeting with the President of the Republic of Timor–Leste, ambassador of Australia, William Costello “Bill” stated that, People-to-people links will undoubtedly grow this year. Australia reopened its international borders on 21 february.
“Our Timorese friends are now increasingly able to travel to Australia as temporary workers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, work in a wider variety of roles and have new opportunities to develop skills while working in Australia. Timorese recipients of Australia Awards scholarships are again travelling to commence studies in Australia this year. We also look forward to seeing more Australians travelling to Timor-Leste this year, for business and pleasure, ‘Ambassador Costello told reporter in the Palace Presidential, today.
Greatly assisting this resurgence in travel between our two countries is the welcome development of Timor-Leste’s approval for Qantas to operate commercial services under the bilateral air services agreement. Qantas announced on 15 february that it will operate regular commercial services to Dili from 1 april. In parallel, Airnorth has already increased the tempo of its flights from Darwin. It is great to see two strong, Australian airlines supporting greater connectivity between Dili and Darwin.
At the government-to-government level, our long-standing defense and policing cooperation continue to deliver good results. During my term, Australia will be gifting two Guardian class patrol boats to the F-FDTL, and upgrading infrastructure at Hera port, contributing to a substantial increase in the F-FDTL’s maritime capacity. “We will also work more broadly on maritime and border security”.
Australia’s development program is the largest and most wide-ranging among Timor-Leste’s partners. It is squarely focused on helping improve the lives of Timorese people and on building the capacity of government to deliver for its people. We are proud of it. One feature I expect to see grow substantially in coming years is our support for the development of key infrastructure. Specifically, we look forward to assisting Timor-Leste to develop its South Submarine Telecommunications Cable, and to upgrade Dili Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport.
‘’One thing that is already clear to me is that, like Australia, Timor-Leste is a proud democracy. Both our nations have elections coming up in the next few months. Those with a strong interest in politics will be able to watch closely both Timor-Leste’s Presidential poll – with a strong field of 16 approved candidates – and the Australian Federal election. We wish all of the candidates well and look forward to both our peoples exercising their democratic rights on their respective polling days”.
On the other hand, the New Ambassador to Timor–Leste William Costole said will continue to enhance the bilateral cooperation between Australia and Timor–Leste which had taken place around 20 years during this time.
“It was my great privilege and pleasure to present my credentials to Timor–Leste‘s President Francisco Guterres “Lu- Olo today. In this 20th year of diplomatic relations between Timor – Leste and Australia, I am proud to be Australia’s 8th Ambassador to Timor – Leste,’’ The Ambassador Australia William Costelo told reporters in his residence of Praia dos Coqueiros, Dili today.
“I start my term in Dili with Australia ‘s bilateral relationship with Timor–Leste in very good shape. This has been amply demonstrated during two great interactions between our leaders recently. Our two Prime Ministers held a positive and productive virtual meeting on 17 february and Timor–Leste‘s Foreign Minister Adaljiza Magno also had a highly productive one week visit to Australia. Our cooperation in 2021 to deliver a highly effective Covid–19 vaccine roll-out has been a great example of how Timor–Leste and Australia can work together,’’ Ambassador Australia William Costelo added,’’.
The government and people of Timor – Leste led the vaccination effort vigorously, and Australia was able to support – along with other partners – with supply of vaccines and the planning and delivery of the roll- out. Timor–Leste has done remarkably well in its vaccination program.
“I have no doubt that lives have been saved, with the Omicron variant of COVID now active in Timor–Leste but thankfully with few hospitalizations and even fewer deaths. Australia will continue to support Timor – Leste to reach its goal of ensuring 90 percent of its population are fully vaccinated. Australia and Timor–Leste will always be neighbors, our people-to-people relationships are strong and our cooperation between governments is broad and deep,’’ Ambassador William said.
The Ambassador Australia to Timor–Leste, William Costelo “Bill” is the 8th Ambassador to Timor–Leste, to replace the prior Ambassador of Australia Peter Roberts, and will conduct his diplomatic mission in Timor–Leste during four years.
A career diplomat, Ambassador Costello has previously served in Washington, Port Moresby, Manila, and Phnom Penh, as well as in Canberra.
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Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafy Belo
