Metinaro, June 13, 2025

FALINTIL-Timor-Leste Defence Forces (F-FDTL), through the General Support Force (FAG), Lieutenant Colonel João Bosco Ximenes "Lenok", together with the Commander of the Nicolau Lobato Training Centre (CICLN), Lieutenant Colonel Elizeu Guterres and the Commander of the Support Unit (UAS), received important visits, including those of the Senior Cabinets, including the Chief of the General Staff of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, AO, DSC, the Chief of the General Staff of the New Zealand Armed Forces, Major General Rose King, and the New Zealand Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Hellen Tunnah, at the Metinaro General Headquarters.

In the intervention of the Commander (FAG), the Chief of the General Staff of the Australian Army and the Chief of the General Staff of the New Zealand Armed Forces, as well as the Ambassador of New Zealand in Timor-Leste and her delegation, thanked the visit, which was a great opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Australia and New Zealand. Timor-Leste has a future.

"I invite all commanders to visit this site. Our cooperation has already begun in the future, with the aim of further strengthening cooperation in the area of military technical training, such as specialized training, including infrastructure and equipment support," Bosco said at the Metinaru Headquarters.

Meanwhile, Chief of the Australian Army Staff, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, AO, DSC, is proud to build on the friendship as an increasingly solid foundation in key military expertise and to work together with New Zealand partners in the future.

On the other hand, the Chief of Staff of the New Zealand Armed Forces, Major General Rose King, expressed his gratitude, although this is the first visit, but it is hoped that the strengthened relationship will be even stronger with every opportunity for joint work and engagement, not only in bilateral cooperation, but also with Australia and Timor-Leste.

During the visit, the Military Band Facilities, the Memorial Hall, the ELTF, the Medical Facilities, the CTOAP Facilities, including the barracks built by the Joint Construction Exercise, were also seen, accompanied by the CFT Commander, Colonel Domingos da Costa Soares "Dobu", and by LtCol João Bosco Ximenes "Lenok", including officers.

F-FDTL Media

Boni Mendonça and Izidor Lopes