Dili, January 13, 2025

The Chief of General Staff of FALINTIL-East Timor Defence Force (F-FDTL), Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek, met with the Chief of General Staff of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, AO, DSC, and the Chief of General Staff of the New Zealand Armed Forces, Major General Rose, at King Kutelna, General Fatuhada, in Dili.

At this meeting, we discussed the cooperation already carried out and, based on the proposal of the General of the Australian and New Zealand armies, we established greater cooperation between the F-FDTL Land Forces and their respective armies.

My hope is that they will continue to ask for support and work together so that our ideas contribute to peace and stability, so that Timorese people can live in peace wherever they are.

The financial and human resources support from both countries to the F-FDTL Institution has been so great that it is difficult to count over the years.

On the same occasion, the Chief of the Australian Army Staff, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, said he was delighted to be able to return to Timor. General King and I were reunited with our F-FDTL colleagues who had worked together for 24 years.

The benefits or mutual benefits that are counted cannot be borne by both parties. Let us continue to work together with a commitment to the future to ensure peace in each country and region, in the prosperity of our people's populations, to protect peace and security, together we can work better for the country to move forward.

Furthermore, the Chief of Staff of the New Zealand Armed Forces, Major General Rose King, said that what I think is working together is that the main thing is friendship.

About progress and improvement, why? This is due to our cooperation, more sophisticated cooperation that can support each other in areas that we need to improve.

F-FDTL Media