Canada-Timor-Leste relations
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Bilateral relations
Canada’s bilateral engagement with Timor-Leste is managed through the Embassy of Canada to Indonesia, in Jakarta. Canada has actively advocated for democratic development, public administration institution building as well as the establishment and implementation of the rule of law to ensure peace and stability in Timor-Leste. Canada contributed to a range of UN-mandated missions in Timor-Leste from 1999 to 2010, including: the UN Integrated Mission in East Timor; the UN Security Council-authorized multinational force in East Timor; the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor; the UN Mission of Support in East Timor; and, the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste is a recipient of Canadian financial support from Global Affairs Canada, Finance Canada and the International Development Research Center (IDRC).
Trade relations
Canada-Timor-Leste bilateral merchandise trade was $5.28 million in 2018; up by 8.3% over the previous year. Canada’s imports from Timor-Leste account for $5.09 million led by coffee, tea, maté and spices products. A Canadian-made and crewed aircraft provides an air bridge between Timor-Leste and its Oecusse exclave.
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Development
Through a range of multilateral and bilateral programming, Canada has provided almost $2 million in development assistance to Timor-Leste. Canada funds four Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) projects focusing on gender equality, promoting the inclusion of sexual minorities and supporting youth skills development. Canada also provides further capacity building support through the Mission Deployment Fund and from the Canadian Embassy. Through CFLI, Canada was able to support Timor-Leste’s second and third Pride Parades, in July 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Operations
Defence and security
Timor-Leste has participated in Canada’s Military Training and Cooperation Program, with Timorese military officers undertaking language training in Canada. Timorese police also benefit from Canadian-funded training at the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC) in Semarang, Indonesia.
Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Timor-Leste work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
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