Australia, East Timor sign AU$62m defence deal

Australia and East Timor signed a defence agreement on Thursday to expand cooperation on cyber security, maritime security, infrastructure, disaster relief and training.

Australia will provide AU$62 million, about US$44 million, under the framework signed in Dili by Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Canberra said.

Marles said the agreement would significantly increase defence exercises. He also said Australia would give East Timor three additional police vessels.

Gusmao said the agreement would help East Timor fight organised crime and illegal fishing.

The deal comes as Australia seeks to limit China's security influence among nearby island nations. Australia has expressed concern about the rapid expansion of China's navy and the presence of Chinese police in several Pacific Island countries.

East Timor is about 700 kilometres northwest of Australia and close to Darwin, which hosts a rotating force of US Marines.

China's defence ministry said in August that Defence Minister Dong Jun had met East Timor's leaders in Dili and offered to take military relations to a new level. East Timor's Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas also visited Moscow for talks this month.

Australia has recently struck defence and economic agreements with Pacific Islands including Vanuatu, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.