Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived in East Timor on Jan. 28, marking his first official visit as leader to the strategic northern neighbour.
Addressing the national parliament, Albanese signaled Australia's urgent desire for a "new, deeper partnership" centered on regional security, economic resilience, and energy cooperation.
The visit arrives at a critical juncture as Canberra seeks to reaffirm its role as Dili’s primary partner, countering China's growing influence and a 2023 strategic agreement between Dili and Beijing.
The cornerstone of the visit remains the long-stalled Greater Sunrise gas fields.
For decades, a dispute over whether to process liquefied natural gas in Darwin or on East Timor’s south coast has stalled the project.