Dili, January 29 (AseanAll) — The President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, J. Ramos-Horta, received Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão on January 29, 2026 for their regular weekly meeting at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace, following the successful official visit of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister highlighted the deep friendship he maintains with Prime Minister Albanese, underlining his historical role as an activist for Timor-Leste’s self-determination. Both leaders expressed great satisfaction with the level of bilateral cooperation and the solid mutual understanding reached between Timor-Leste and Australia, as reflected in the conclusion of the official visit earlier this morning.
During the audience, the Prime Minister informed the President of the Republic about the recent approval by the Council of Ministers of amendments to the Public Debt Law. Xanana Gusmão explained the strategic use of loans as a tool to ensure the stability of the Petroleum Fund, noting that a prudent investment policy has generated over $9 billion in profits since the IX Constitutional Government. He further reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the “Program-Based Budgeting” system, which has positioned Timor-Leste as a regional benchmark for financial transparency and as an effective mechanism in the fight against corruption.
The meeting also addressed priority domestic issues, including the Government’s coordinated response to the increase in dengue cases across the country, as well as ongoing plans for administrative decentralization aimed at improving the delivery of public services to rural communities.
In the diplomatic sphere, the Prime Minister updated the President of the Republic on the third round of negotiations regarding maritime borders with Indonesia, scheduled for April, and on the President’s planned international mission to Dubai in February. Finally, he reiterated the Government’s firm commitment to guaranteeing press freedom and highlighted the need for new regulations to ensure the peaceful and responsible practice of martial arts throughout the national territory.
