新西兰国防部长 Chris Penk 表示，新西兰与 Timor-Leste 已签署更新后的国防合作安排。

Penk部长表示：

“这是一次极好的机会，让我们审视并重申双方对持续合作的共同承诺。距离我们上次审查这一安排已经过去15年，而在这期间，世界已经发生了显著变化。”

本月，Penk部长与东帝汶国防部长 Rear Admiral Donaciano do Rosario da Costa Gomes 通过线上会议签署了更新后的《国防合作安排》。

该安排是对现有《来访部队地位协定》（Status of Visiting Forces Agreement）的补充，并明确了双方未来合作的重点领域，包括：

• 军事训练、教育及能力建设活动；
• 深化双边关系；
• 人道主义援助与灾害救援合作；
• 海上安全合作；
• 在多个专业领域开展经验和技术交流。

Penk部长表示：

“我们期待进一步扩大与东帝汶的国防合作关系，包括支持其作为东南亚国家联盟（ASEAN）最新成员的发展。”

“我们长期以来的国防关系建立在伙伴关系和相互尊重的基础之上。27年前，新西兰向东帝汶派遣了维和人员，为该国实现稳定并最终获得独立作出了贡献。对此，我们始终深感自豪。签署这份更新后的合作安排，是推动双方国防关系继续发展、并与双方共同优先事项保持一致的重要一步。”

背景

• 新西兰于1999年参与了东帝汶维和行动，向当地派遣军人和警察协助恢复秩序。
• 东帝汶于2002年正式独立。
• 东帝汶已成为 Association of Southeast Asian Nations（东盟）最新成员国之一，新西兰希望借此进一步加强与东南亚地区的安全与防务合作。
• 此次更新的国防合作安排距离上一次修订已有15年，反映出双方希望在当前地区安全环境变化背景下深化合作。

New Zealand and Timor-Leste have signed an updated defence cooperation arrangement, Defence Minister Chris Penk says.

“This was an excellent opportunity to review and restate our shared commitment to ongoing cooperation. It has been 15 years since we last reviewed this arrangement and in that time the world has changed significantly,” Mr Penk says.

The updated Defence Cooperation Arrangement was signed by Minister Penk and Timor-Leste Defense Minister Rear Admiral Donaciano do Rosario da Costa Gomes, at a virtual meeting this month.

The arrangement complements the existing Status of Visiting Forces Agreement and outlines the key priorities and areas of ongoing cooperation, including training, education and capacity building activities; deepening the bilateral relationship; cooperation on humanitarian aid and disaster relief and maritime security; and exchange of expertise in a number of areas. 

“We look forward to expanding our defence relationship with Timor-Leste, including as the newest member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“Our longstanding defence relationship is based on partnership and respect. It’s 27 years since New Zealand sent peacekeepers to Timor-Leste, who contributed to the country’s stabilisation and ultimately its independence. This is a contribution we remain incredibly proud of. Signing this updated arrangement is an important step to allow our defence relationship to continue to grow, in line with our shared priorities.”