AusAID media release on Timor-Leste Development Partners Meeting

28th March, 2008

Australian Embassy Press Release

Using the Development Partners Meeting to Align
Australiaâ?Ts Development Assistance to Timor-Leste

Australia is a leading development partner in
Timor-Leste, and the Australia Government will
provide through official development assistance
up to $AUD300 million until 2012 depending on
progress achieved.  This reflects the importance
of the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Australia has increased significantly its
development assistance to assist Timor-Leste in
its efforts to build a stable and prosperous nation.

This assistance will strengthen our partnership
since 1999 in the critical areas of promoting
good governance, economic management and improved
access to basic services – water, sanitation,
health, education annd skill development, infrastructure and justice.

At the Timor-Leste Development Partners Meeting
(TLDPM) this week, the Head of the Australian
Delegation for the TLDPM, Mr Richard Moore, said,
â?oWe have a great program and through TLDPM we
hope to find any ways that we can improve and
continue to ensure we are aligned with the
Government of Timor-Lesteâ?Ts National Development Prioritiesâ?.

Mr Moore, who is also the Deputy Director General
of AusAID added, â?oIt has been really enjoyable
travelling to Timor-Leste and seeing how AusAID
is working together with other development
agencies. This cooperation is very important to
maximize the benefits of our work. We are already
taking this approach forward, for example, we
have just signed a Memorandum of Understanding
with the Government of Portugal that will allow
us to work even closer together.�