Japan- Timor-Leste Relations
Japan-Timor-Leste Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
On August 3, commencing at 11 a.m. (local time) for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is visiting Singapore to attend Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, held a foreign ministers’ meeting with H.E. Dr. Dionisio da Costa Babo Soares, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Minister Kono congratulated Minister Babo on his appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, stating that Japan has consistently supported Timor-Leste’s nation-building, and that Japan’s stance of cooperating toward further growth and development in Timor-Leste will not change in the future either. Minister Kono explained that he hopes to discuss the direction of future cooperation at this meeting, the first Japan-Timor-Leste Foreign Ministers’ meeting in five years. In response, Minister Babo expressed his gratitude for Japan’s long-standing support, and expressed hishope to enhance bilateral cooperation.
2. The two ministers confirmed that they will promote bilateral cooperation in fields such as security, economy, infrastructure, human resources development, people-to-people exchanges and maritime issues. In addition, Minister Kono stated that he will continue to consider supporting Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN, and conveyed his intention to strengthen collaboration based on the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy.” Minister Babo expressed his agreement.
3. The two ministers shared the view that they will meet again in Tokyo or Dili in the near future.