Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong also attended the meeting in Canberra, adding that Timor-Leste and Australia agreed to renew a strategic defence and security partnership focussed on maritime security on the occasion of the visit.

Ruak, who was in Australia last week, also took time to launch a Timorese coffee company, Orijem Timor in Canberra and met with Timorese workers from the labour mobility program on a farm near Darwin.

During the farm visit Ruak was received by President of Northern Territory Farmers Association Simon Smith.

Smith highlighted the importance of Timor-Leste and Australia Labour Mobility Program and “intention to increase the number of annual vacancies for Timorese workers” in the Northern Territory agriculture sector, according to a government statement.

The Orijem Timor Project aims to connect Timorese coffee producers with importing, processing, roasting and distribution companies of quality organic coffees in the Australian and regional markets, promoting the exchange of producers, distributors, and consumers.