Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, will visit Timor-Leste today to represent Australia at the 24th Anniversary of the Restoration of Independence.
Australia and Timor-Leste are close neighbours and partners with a shared history and strong bonds between our peoples and veteran communities. Our enduring relationship is built on decades of cooperation, supporting regional stability.
In Dili, the Deputy Prime Minister will meet with the President of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Dr José Ramos-Horta; Prime Minister, His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão; and Minister for Defense, His Excellency Rear Admiral Donaciano do Rosário Costa Gomes 'Pedro Klamar Fuik' Ph.D.
They will discuss opportunities to build on the strong foundations of our defence and security partnership - as outlined in the 2026 Parseria Foun ba Era Foun (New Partnership for a New Era), established by Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Gusmão in January - and identify pathways to enhance our partnership for the years ahead.
This includes working together in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) and its Experts' Working Groups, following Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN membership in 2025.
Deputy Prime Minister Marles will be accompanied by the Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans' Affairs and Northern Australia, Luke Gosling.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:
"I am honoured to visit Timor‑Leste on the 24th anniversary of its Restoration of Independence.
"I look forward to meeting with President Ramos-Horta, Prime Minister Gusmão, and Minister Pedro Klamar Fuik to discuss our shared interests.
"Australia has an enduring defence partnership with Timor-Leste, built on shared interests and mutual benefit. Australia will continue to stand with Timor-Leste as close partners in defence and security."
WEDNESDAY, 20 MAY 2026
