New Zealand and Timor-Leste have strengthened their defence ties by signing an updated Defence Cooperation Arrangement, marking the first major review of the partnership in 15 years.
Defence Minister Chris Penk and Timor-Leste Defence Minister Rear Admiral Donaciano do Rosario da Costa Gomes signed the updated agreement during a virtual meeting earlier this month.
The arrangement builds on the existing Status of Visiting Forces Agreement and sets out priorities for future cooperation between the two countries. Areas covered include military training and education, capacity-building initiatives, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime security, and the exchange of specialist expertise.
Penk said the review was timely given the significant changes in the global security environment since the previous arrangement was signed.
“This was an excellent opportunity to review and restate our shared commitment to ongoing cooperation. It has been 15 years since we last reviewed this arrangement and in that time the world has changed significantly,” he said.
He said New Zealand was looking forward to expanding its defence relationship with Timor-Leste, particularly following the country’s accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“Our longstanding defence relationship is based on partnership and respect,” Mr Penk said.
He noted that New Zealand’s military relationship with Timor-Leste dates back nearly three decades, when New Zealand peacekeepers were deployed to support stability efforts in the country.
“It’s 27 years since New Zealand sent peacekeepers to Timor-Leste, who contributed to the country’s stabilisation and ultimately its independence. This is a contribution we remain incredibly proud of.”
Penk said the updated arrangement would provide a framework for closer cooperation in areas of mutual interest and support the continued development of the bilateral relationship.
“Signing this updated arrangement is an important step to allow our defence relationship to continue to grow, in line with our shared priorities,” he said.
Timor-leste? WTF? Did I miss something impotrtant here? Same with Turkey? Not the bird on me Thanksgiving plate anymore? Not Nürnberg but Nuremborg or whatever?
But yeah, back to the real important issues, like fkn modern colonialism.
Everything has to be perpetually renamed to keep you in a constant state of confusion and irritation.
“THaT’s hOw tHey saY it iN France/Turkey/wherever!”
Motherf*cker am I speaking French?
Apparently no one is allowed to use English nouns anymore when speaking English. You have to use the language of whatever place you’re referring to in order to show what a woke, pretentious prick you are, or it’s just not cool.
Never mind that the French, Turkish and whoever don’t extend us the same fake courtesy when using their stupid languages.
And don’t even get me started on BC/AD vs BCE/CE.
This is the dumbest time in human history 😑