Australia PM Albanese discusses security and gas with East Timor during his visit to the country

In his first official visit to East Timor, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to highlight Australia's desire for stronger security and energy relations when he speaks in the?parliament of East Timor on Wednesday.

The visit comes at a time when the tiny Catholic nation - also courted by China - continues to push for a liquefied gas plant to be built on its south shore, rather than in the Australian city Darwin.

Albanese is scheduled to address the East Timor Parliament and meet with its President Jose Ramos Horta and Prime Minster Xanana Gulmao.

Albanese, according to the excerpts shared ahead of time from his speech, "will remember the cooperation between Timorese soldiers and Australian soldiers in World War Two as an illustration?"of the history and the values that make two nations friends."

"We are looking forward to a shared tomorrow." He is expected to address the parliament on a "new deeper partnership" in security, energy and economic resilience.

Ramos Horta stated last month that he was confident of a major project being developed with Australia following decades?of delays.

Australia's Woodside and East Timor agreed to study in December a project of 5 million metric tons at the Greater Sunrise Fields, an area estimated to contain 5.1 trillion cubic foot of gas. Australia had been discussing this project, initially with Indonesia, for the past 30 years.

The Timor Gap national oil company holds more than 56% ownership of the field, located approximately 140 km south of East Timor (87 miles), and 400 km north of Darwin.

East Timor, with a population of about 1.4 million, joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in October. It is now working to rebuild its fragile economy.

East Timor and China signed a 2023 strategic agreement for infrastructure and development. Ramos-Horta had previously stated that the agreement did not include military cooperation.

Since East Timor gained independence from Indonesia, in 2002, Australia has been East Timor’s largest aid and security partner. Peacekeepers have also provided support.

China's efforts to form security ties with countries close to Australia has raised alarm in Canberra. A refocus on Australia's northern approach in defence has been made.

East Timor lies about 700 km (450miles) north of Australia. Reporting by Kirsty Neeham in Sydney, with additional reporting from Helen Clark in Perth

(source: Reuters)