Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta said he would like to see the partnership between the Timorese and Australian defence forces evolve into one similar to that which unites the Trans-Tasman nations.

Mr Ramos-Horta was speaking at Dili’s National Stadium on September 20, officiating at the Xanana-Cosgrove Shield, the annual soccer match commemorating the arrival of the Australian-led United Nations INTERFET peace mission in 1999. 

He thanked Australian and Timor-Leste veterans for keeping the legacy of their struggle alive. 

“Australian military personnel who came here in ’99, then again in 2006, by the thousands,” Mr Ramos-Horta said. 

“Hundreds of them kept in touch, connected, organised themselves into a Timor-Leste/Australian veterans. They visit every year, twice, three times in groups; they travel around the country, reconnect, so keeping alive the friendship – that is very important.” 

'The job of the leaders is much easier when we are able to mobilise our own people to a common vision, a common goal, making sacrifices, but with significant support, steady over the years.'

Australia has maintained a presence in Timor-Leste since independence through the Defence Cooperation Program. 

Speaking of the achievements of the Timorese people over the past 26 years, building a new nation, Mr Ramos-Horta said it would not have been possible without their support, patience, resilience and understanding. 

“But also, very strongly backed up by neighbours like Australia and New Zealand,” he said. 

“And many other countries, of course the United States, amongst the top, Japan, South Korea, Portugal – so we could not have done it alone. 

“The job of the leaders is much easier when we are able to mobilise our own people to a common vision, a common goal, making sacrifices, but with significant support, steady over the years.” 

Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste Caitlin Wilson said the two countries had developed a tremendous partnership.

“We know how close we are, the military and defence relationship, security is very strong,” Ms Wilson said. 

“It is a great time building and continuing to reinforce, not just those ties but the people-to-people links, which have endured and will continue.” 

'I am incredibly proud of what we have all helped to build.'

Brigadier Malcolm Wells, who served in Timor-Leste during INTERFET, said it was important to honour all those who served in the peacekeeping mission. 

“I can speak as a veteran of the early days of Australia’s involvement here,” Brigadier Wells said.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have all helped to build – this wonderful country that we have seen grow before our eyes, and it is absolutely critical that we pass those stories and that message to those who are serving today and those who will take our place in the years to come.” 

Chief of the Timor-Leste Defense Force, Lieutenant General Domingos Raul ‘Falur Rate Laek’, said it was important, on the anniversary, to celebrate the partnership between the two countries.

“I want to thank veterans from Australia, because you can imagine for the last many years, more than 20 years, so many women and men from Australia have come to support Timor-Leste so much,” Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek said.