Dili, Sept. 9, 2026 (Lusa) - Representatives of the governments of Timor-Leste and Australia's Northern Territory met to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation, particularly in vocational training, employment and labour mobility, Timor-Leste's government announced on Wednesday.

The meeting took place on Tuesday as part of the first official visit to Timor-Leste by the Head of the Northern Territory Government, Lia Finocchiaro, and continued the dialogue on labour mobility established between the two governments.

«We are particularly focused on the Northern Territory because it is closest to Timor-Leste,» said Mariano Assanami Sabino, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs and Minister for Rural Development and Community Housing, as quoted in a press release.

Mariano Assanami Sabino emphasised that the Timorese government's priorities include training and upskilling human resources and creating employment opportunities for young people in that Australian region.

«Timor-Leste is not simply our neighbour; it is a long-standing friend and partner of the Territory. Our relationship is based on deep ties between our peoples, institutions and communities, and the Strategic Partnership provides us with a solid framework to take this relationship further», said Lia Finocchiaro.

Finocchiaro said the Northern Territory government was willing to deepen cooperation in skills and workforce development.

Among other topics, the meeting addressed opportunities to deepen cooperation in human capital development, vocational training, employment, education and higher education, and health.

The Strategic Partnership Agreement between Timor-Leste and the Northern Territory 2023–2027 governs bilateral cooperation and covers areas such as education, business and the workforce, trade and investment, tourism, emergency preparedness, agriculture, health, sport, arts and culture.

MSE/ADB // ADB.

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