DILI, 02 June 2026 (TATOLI) — Timor-Leste on Monday received senior defense officials from several Portuguese-speaking countries in a high-level meeting aimed at reinforcing defense cooperation within the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP).
Defense of Minister of Angola, João Ernesto dos Santos, and Defense Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe, Horácio Trindade Sousa, together with Brazil’s Head of Strategic Affairs at the Ministry of Defense, Army General Alcio Alves de Almeida Costa, met with Timor-Leste Defense Minister Rear Admiral Donaciano Gomes at the F-FDTL’s headquarters in Dili.
The gathering was held on the margins of the 25th CPLP Defense Ministers’ Meeting, hosted this year by Timor-Leste. The forum serves as a platform for member states to coordinate policies on defense, security, and regional stability across the Portuguese-speaking community.
During the meeting, Minister Gomes highlighted the enduring solidarity of CPLP member states throughout Timor-Leste’s independence struggle.
“Friendly CPLP countries have consistently stood with Timor-Leste during our struggle for independence, assisting us in difficult periods and continuing their support after independence was restored,” he said.
He further noted that such engagements are vital for enhancing political and institutional dialogue among member states, while fostering the exchange of expertise and joint approaches to common security challenges.
He also emphasized that the CPLP should remain a key platform for promoting peace, dialogue, and stability among its members.
“One of the main objectives of the CPLP in the field of defense is to promote peace, dialogue, and stability among our countries,” he said.
São Tomé and Príncipe Defense Minister Horácio Trindade Sousa described the meeting as an important opportunity for cooperation among “brotherly nations” within the CPLP, underscoring the bloc’s shared historical and cultural bonds.
“This meeting enables us to exchange experiences and better understand each other’s realities. This is only possible among brotherly countries, with relations grounded in cooperation and mutual respect,” he said.
Angola’s Defense Minister Lúcio Gonçalves do Amaral also stressed the importance of the gathering in strengthening military cooperation among CPLP member states, noting that existing defense agreements must be adjusted to reflect current global realities shaped by shifting geopolitical dynamics.
He added that ongoing updates to cooperation frameworks aim to enhance mutual benefits for member populations and reinforce the protection of territorial integrity across CPLP states.
Journalist: Afonso do Rosário
Editor: Isaura Lemos de Deus
Translation: Filomeno Martins
