Timor-Leste calls on Australia to continue helping its military

Timor-Leste called on Australia to continue providing technical assistance to the Timorese Defense Force (F-FDTL), Radio Timor-Leste quoted a minister as saying on Friday.

State Secretary for Defense Julio Thomas Pinto made the call after participating in a bilateral meeting with Australia to talk on security issues.

Pinto said that cooperation of the two countries focuses on engineering, border and maritime security, as well as peace- keeping operations.

Pinto stressed that this cooperation plan was based on the defense force's plans called "2020" which would help prepare the F-FDTL in peace-keeping mission in other countries and in the country.

He added that the United Nations had asked the F-FDTL's candidate to participate in peace keeping operations, especially for military liaison.

Source: Xinhua