Dili, April 24, 2026 (Lusa) - Timor-Leste’s prime minister, Xanana Gusmão, is set to travel to Singapore this Saturday to participate in the third round of negotiations regarding the delimitation of maritime boundaries with Indonesia.

“In this third round, we hope that both sides will reach an understanding and find positive solutions,” said Xanana Gusmão on Thursday, following a meeting with Timor-Leste’s president, José Ramos-Horta.

The first round of negotiations took place in August 2025 in Dili, and the second in December in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

The third round of negotiations will take place between Saturday and Thursday of next week.

Under discussion are four maritime areas on the southern coast, in the Timor Sea, to the west, east, and to the north, in the enclave of Oecussi, raising issues as it is surrounded by Indonesia.

Also under negotiation are two maritime sections in the north of Timor-Leste, in the waters from Batugade (Bobonaro municipality) to the island of Ataúro and across the Strait of Wetar to the island of Jaco.

In March 2018, Timor-Leste reached an agreement with Australia establishing the maritime boundaries between the two countries in the Timor Sea.

From Singapore, Timor-Leste’s prime minister will travel on to Brunei Darussalam for an official visit, to take place between 3 and 5 May, before heading to Cebu in the Philippines to attend the 48th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which will be held between 8 and 9 May.

MSE/MYAL // AYLS

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