Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr. Zacarias Albano da Costa attended the 9th Southwest Pacific Ministerial Dialogue in Bali, 21st July 2011

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From left: Minister of Foreign Affairs of : Australia, Mr Kevin Rudd,

Papua New Guinea,Mr Hon Ano Pala, Timor-Leste, Mr. Zacarias Albano da Costa,

New Zealand , Mr Murray McCully andIndonesia, Mr. Marty Natalegawa

Bali – 21^th of July 2011

Today, 21st July 2011, at the margins of the 45th AMM, PMC and 19th ARF, His Excellency Minister da Costa joined his counterpart; HE Dr Marty Natalegawa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia; Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs, New Zealand; Hon Ano Pala, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Papua New Guinea; Hon Albert del Rosario, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines attended the 9th Southwest Pacific Dialogue, chaired by Hon Kevin Rudd, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, at the Bali International Convention Centre.

During the meeting, ministers candidly discussed and exchanged their views on Maritime Security issues, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relieve, Counter-Terrorism, Democracy and Connectivity, as well as various issues of mutual interest pertaining to the developments in the region and reaffirmed their commitment strengthen cooperation and partnerships among the Southwest Pacific Dialogue member countries.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of : Australia, Mr Kevin Rudd,
Timor-Leste, Mr. Zacarias Albano da Costa, and
Indonesia, Mr. Marty Natalegawa

Minister da Costa led the discussions on democracy and commended the strong commitment of all Southwest Pacific Dialogue member countries in upholding democratic principles, human rights and good governance.

Minister da Costa also underlined the importance of the Bali Democracy Forum and reiterated the commitment of Timor-Leste together with Southwest Pacific Dialogue member countries to promote democracy for peace and prosperity in our region.

Minister da Costa was accompanied by Director General Mr. Marciano da Silva, Ambassador Juvencio Martins, Ambassador Manuel Serrano, Ambassador Roberto Soares, Chief of Staff, Mr. João Tavares.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Zacarias Albano da Costa attended the Opening Ceremony of the 44th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Bali,

Minister da Costa led the Timor-Leste’s delegation to the 44th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM), the Post Ministerial Conferences (PMCs), and the 18th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) including the Southwest pacific Dialogue in Bali, Indonesia from 18 to 23 July 2011.

Timor-Leste Delegates will seize the opportunity to continue to reiterate its readiness to join ASEAN and willing to contribute with its views and perspectives pertaining to the on-going progress of ASEAN's community-building and economic integration process.

Minister da Costa and Timor-Leste delegates will also participate in the ASEAN Regional Forum as well as the Southwest Pacific Dialogue forum from 21-23 July 2011 to discuss issues of mutual concern and mechanisms to strengthen regional cooperation for partnerships and developments in the region.

Minister da Costa will also take the opportunity to conduct bilateral meetings with his counterparts from some of the ASEAN countries, ASEAN Dialogue Partners and ARF members at the sidelines of the meetings.

Minister da Costa is accompanied by his spouse Sra Milena Pires, Timor-Leste’s ARF SOM Leader, Mr. Marciano da Silva, Director General for External Affairs, Ambassador Juvencio Martins, Ambassador Manuel Serrano, Ambassador Roberto Soares, Director for ASEAN Affairs, Ms. Dirce Carolina, Chief of Staff, Mr. Joao Tavares, Consul General, Mrs. Olandina Caero, Foreign Minister’s Security Adviser, Ms. Sonia Leite, and Media Adviser, Mrs. Maria Gabriela Carrascalão.

MINISTER DA COSTA WELCOMES KEVIN RUDD AS FRIEND OF TIMOR-LESTE

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia, Mr Kevin Rudd, 

with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste,

 Mr Zacarias Albano da Costa 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs today welcomed his Australian counterpart, the Honorable Kevin Rudd M. P, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, “as a friend of Timor-Leste”.

Speaking after a meeting at the Foreign Ministry, Minister da Costa said it was a great honour to welcome Foreign Minister Rudd back to Timor-Leste. “Foreign Minister Rudd is a great friend of Timor-Leste and we know that Timor-Leste has a special place in his heart,” said Minister da Costa.  The Minister added, “Minister Rudd knows very well our country  Timor-Leste, and we consider him to be one of us.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia, Mr Kevin Rudd, 

with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste,

 Mr Zacarias Albano da Costa

In response, Minister Kevin Rudd spoke of the valuable relationship between Australia and Timor-Leste. “I am proud that Australia is a long-term partner of Timor-Leste, it is great to be back and I tell you that Timor-Leste has a significant place in my heart.” 

Minister da Costa and Minister Rudd discussed a number of issues of mutual interest including Australian full support for Timor-Leste’s membership to ASEAN, the UN transition mandate in Timor-Leste, economic development, infrastructure, education, health and security.  In the areas of education and health, Minister Rudd told journalists that Australia has just refurbished 3,000 classrooms and assisted with 43,000 surgical procedures, including 8,000 for people in life-threatening situation, as example of Australian assistance to the country. Minister Rudd also spoke of the combined challenge to lift people from poverty, and reiterated Australian long term engagement with Timor-Leste

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia, Mr Kevin Rudd, 

with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste,

 Mr Zacarias Albano da Costa, TL's Ambassador to Australia Mr. Abel Guterres 

and  General Secretary, Mr. Jorge Camões 

Minister Rudd is on a two-day official visit to Timor-Leste at the invitation of Minister Zacarias da Costa.