10 February 2009
Visit to Australia by East Timor Foreign Minister Zacarias da Costa
I will meet East Timor's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Zacarias da Costa, in Canberra today. Foreign Minister da Costa is visiting Australia as a Guest of Government.
Australia is committed to supporting East Timor's development as a stable and prosperous nation. Australia will contribute over $96 million in development assistance to East Timor during 2008-09.
Foreign Minister da Costa and I will discuss Australia's and East Timor's ongoing review of existing development cooperation, announced by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Prime Minister Gusmao in August last year.
This includes education, training and employment initiatives, and consideration of access for East Timorese workers to Australia's seasonal labour market.
We will discuss other matters including the United Nations' engagement with East Timor, Australia's continuing security support through our leadership of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), and bilateral maritime cooperation.
I will also host a trilateral meeting
with Foreign Minister da Costa and Portugal's Minister for Foreign
Affairs, Luis Amado, who is also visiting Australia.
Australia, East Timor and Portugal have been close partners in East Timor's development. This will be an opportunity to further strengthen our cooperation.
Media inquiries: Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555