DILI (TOP) – U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Tom Daley and Minister of Justice Tiago Amaral Sarmento today signed long-term lease agreements for both country’s diplomatic properties in Timor-Leste and the United States.
The lease agreements were also signed concurrently in New York by Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to the United States Isilio Coelho and Timor-Leste’s UN representative Ambassador Karlito Nunes.
Through the leases, the U.S. Government and the Government of Timor-Leste have mutually agreed to lease diplomatic properties that will enable both countries to strengthen diplomatic engagement. The agreement enables the U.S. government to lease its existing Embassy property in Dili and the Government of Timor-Leste to lease a new Embassy facility in Washington and a new facility for its UN Mission in New York. The term of the leases will be for a duration of 50 years and will be automatically renewed and extended for an additional 50 years.
“Today’s lease signing is a critical down payment on our long-term commitment to relationship with Timor-Leste,” said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Tom Daley in remarks at the lease signing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. “Ultimately, this means that we are better able to advance the core pillars that have come to define the U.S.-Timorese relationship: friendship, partnership, and opportunities. Today’s signing will enable us to build on our democratic partnership in the decades ahead to advance the interests of the Timorese and American peoples.”
The current U.S. Embassy in Dili was built 20 years ago as a temporary structure that is not suited to support the growing partnership between the United States and Timor-Leste. The U.S. government plans to build a new, modern Embassy structure that will house diplomatic, defense, and development personnel working to strengthen the U.S.-Timorese partnership. (Pr)
