Robert Dougherty – Australia has announced a joint declaration on establishing Parseria Foun ba Era Foun (New partnership for a new era) with the government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently travelled to Dili in Timor-Leste for an official visit from 28 to 29 January to meet with his excellency President Dr Jose Ramos-Horta and his excellency Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao.
Under the Parseria partnership, both governments commit to ongoing cooperation, consultation and mutual respect for national sovereignty.
Under the partnership, Australia and Timor-Leste will deepen defence cooperation, affirming a commitment to continuing to develop a modern defence relationship based on partnership, sovereignty and the interests of the two countries.
Through the Defence Cooperation Program, both parties will further strengthen the mutually beneficial and longstanding collaboration between their defence forces to collectively contribute to national, regional and international stability and security.
In addition, both countries will step up regional resilience to cyber risks. The agreement commits to work closely to build cyber security skills and capabilities, enhance public awareness of cyber risks and strengthen cyber-related information sharing between law enforcement agencies.
Both parties will also further strengthen the Timor-Leste Police Development Program and cooperation under the memorandum of understanding on migration and border management, including continuing to facilitate business and leisure travel between both countries, including through access for Timorese citizens to Australia's 10-year Frequent Traveller Stream visa.
Albanese addressed the National Parliament of Timor-Leste under his first visit to Timor-Leste as prime minister.
"You don't get to choose your neighbours, but you do get to choose your friends. And Timor-Leste is a friend and has a friend in Australia as we go forward," according to Prime Minister Albanese, speaking at the press conference on 28 January.
"Today, we've reflected the strength of that friendship and the relationship by signing the Parseria, 'A new partnership for a new era', elevating the friendship between Timor-Leste and Australia to a new level, the first of its kind between our two nations.
"The partnership cements our cooperation across economic security, development and people to people relations right across the board. It is a very comprehensive agreement.
"It acknowledges the mutual respect for national sovereignty and our shared commitment to continuing cooperation and consultation, not just between our two countries, but also, we've spoken about working together.
"Through this new partnership, we'll continue to work with Timor-Leste on nation building priorities that matter to the people of both of our nations. We've also discussed our interest today in building economic resilience and providing opportunities for all people of Timor-Leste.
"To further support Timor-Leste's ASEAN accession, I'm announcing today that Australia will boost the funding that we've provided for technical assistance and capacity building package so that the total will be up to $20 million, an increase of $8.2 million.
"I'm also pleased to announce two new programs, the Private Sector Development Program and a Human Development Initiative to improve the quality and reach of critical health services, education and disability support."
Other commitments include police, border security and immigration agencies working together, recognising climate change, reaffirming the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and both countries committed to working together in support of the implementation of Timor-Leste's Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030.
The minister of foreign affairs and cooperation and minister for foreign affairs from both nations will coordinate the formulation of a joint plan of action to realise the Parseria partnership. Both countries will review implementation, including through annual senior officials' talks.
The foreign ministers of Timor-Leste and Australia will endeavour to meet in person at least once a year to discuss priorities for further enhancing relations between the two countries.