DILI, 06 july 2023 (TATOLI) – Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Takei Shunsuke met with the President of the Republic, Jose Ramos Horta to discuss the bilateral relations between Japan and Timor-Leste.
During the meeting, Minister Takei expressed his admiration for the efforts made by the Head of State to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries: “It was a great honor for me to pay a courtesy visit to President Horta.”
“We informed President Horta about our intention to deepen collaboration to address regional and international issues,” Takei told reporters at the Presidential Palace, in Dili, today.
Takei emphasized the importance of bilateral relations between the two nations to the Indo-Pacific countries that share universal values such as freedom, democracy, and human rights.
“I would like to express my gratitude for the exchange of views with President Horta on various areas, including security and peace,” he said.
Takei is the first Foreign Minister from a foreign country to visit Timor-Leste after the inauguration of the new government on june 1, with Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão as Prime Minister: “My visit to Timor-Leste is to communicate with the new government in person and also to demonstrate that Timor-Leste is important for us.”
Takei also expressed Japan’s commitment to continue supporting Timor-Leste’s accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste, Kimura Tetsuya said Japan has been supporting Timor-Leste in infrastructure development and capacity building.
“I understand the roadmap for ASEAN membership, which covers a wide range of areas including infrastructure, governance, and social services. Japan has already invested more than US$400 million in Timor-Leste, covering infrastructure development and social services,” said Ambassador Kimura.
On may 29, Keiya Nishio, Chief Consultant from Japan Airport Consultants (JAC) said that JAC has prepared an outline for the construction of the new passenger terminal building together with Ehira Architec and Engineers, Oriental Consultants Global, and Nippon Koei.
The Japanese government is currently preparing to take 11 young Timorese to undertake Internship Training Program, in Japan.
Earlier this year, President Horta said that Japan has been an active supporter of Timor-Leste’s national development.
The Government of Japan provides assistance through JICA and also via UN Agencies, the World Bank, and Asian Development Bank (ADB).
“JICA is a lender to Timor-Leste, providing a loan for $68.7 million for the construction of roads. JICA is also committed to financing and constructing a new terminal building, utilities, and electricity substation at the Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport through a Grant financing of $44.4 million. Work is expected to complete by the end of 2024 or early 2025. This will finally provide Timor-Leste with a modern international airport,” he explained.
Horta pointed out that other ongoing engagements by Japan with Timor-Leste in the area of sustainable development include, Human Resource Development (JDS), such as the Scholarship program (Master’s Degree) planned at US$2,856,565.77.
In addition, Horta stressed that Japan also contributed to increasing Farmers’ Households’ Income through Strengthening Domestic Rice: “The project aims at the improvement of irrigation management, rice productivity, market access for farmers, purchasing system and storage management of MCIACost at US$2,812,209.44.”
“This is not an exhaustive list which illustrates the Japanese Government and people’s commitment to the well-being of the people of Timor-Leste.”
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
