Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, His Excellency General Taur Matan Ruak, to Australia as a Guest of Government from 7 to 9 February.

Prime Minster Albanese will meet Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak in Canberra to discuss Australia’s partnership with Timor-Leste and opportunities for strengthening our economic, security and regional cooperation.

Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak will also visit Darwin, where he will reinforce the warm relationship and enduring people-to-people links between the Northern Territory and Timor-Leste.

This visit will reaffirm both countries’ steadfast support for the Australia-Timor-Leste partnership, including through defence and economic cooperation, labour mobility and new areas such as critical infrastructure.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Albanese:

“I am delighted to welcome Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak to Australia for his first official visit to Australia since becoming Prime Minister in 2018.

“Timor-Leste is one of Australia’s closest neighbours and partners in the region and the Prime Minister’s visit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen cooperation between our countries.

“Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak’s visit to Australia reflects the close ties between our people and countries, and the importance my Government places on deepening our relationships in Southeast Asia and across the Pacific region.”