Gusmao, as former Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment in the sixth government, has led Timor-Leste’s long struggle for equal control of the area between Timor-Leste and Australia where an estimated $40 billion worth of oil and gas lies beneath the sea.

“The government will totally support the negotiation team, as Xanana Gusmao and Agio Pereira, must continue until the end,” said Alkatiri.

Timor-Leste has long arguedthat the maritime boundary between it and Australia should be a median line equidistant between the two countries, putting the vast majority of the exploitable area in its territory.

This position is supported by international law, the UN convention on the law of the sea, which Australia signed and ratified in 1994.

Both countries are engaged in a yearlong compulsory conciliation, overseen by the permanent court of arbitration, and say they are working towards a final agreement on a permanent maritime boundary by September this year.

 A meeting between the negotiating parties is set for 28 August.

Alkatiri said he trusted Xanana and Pereira would continue to act in the nation’s best interest.