Dili, March 19 (AseanAll)  —The President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, J. Ramos-Horta, received Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão on March 19, 2026 at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace for a high-level meeting regarding the Government’s alignment with the Head of State’s strategic vision for 2026.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister guaranteed the full support of the Council of Ministers for the President’s flagship initiatives, including the Dili International Marathon (DIM) and the Science for Development Summit. These events aim to strengthen Timor-Leste’s global prestige as a defender of peace, with several Nobel Peace Laureates expected to visit the country later this year.

The Prime Minister also presented a detailed update on critical transparency measures, informing the President of the completion of the forensic audit conducted by Ernst & Young on State assets. The audit, which identified serious irregularities involving the ship Vitoria and several aircraft, will be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General to ensure legal accountability.

Furthermore, following the President’s commitment to institutional excellence, the Prime Minister announced that the PNTL recruitment process will be restarted in three transparent phases to ensure a fair and professional national police force, guided by international recommendations from Australia and Portugal.

In response to the President’s concerns regarding public welfare and global instability, the Prime Minister detailed the Government’s proactive plans to secure the national supply of essential goods. Coordination efforts with local importers are underway to prevent any shortage of fuel or rice resulting from the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.