Washington, DC - Assistant Secretary David R. Stilwell will visit Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Brunei, and Singapore, August 27 to September 7, 2019 in his first visit to each of these countries in his new role.

Assistant Secretary Stilwell will be in Dili August 29 to 31, where he will meet with Timor-Leste President of the Republic H.E. Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation H.E. Dionisio Babo Soares, Minister of Defense and Interim Minister of Interior H.E. Filomeno Paixão de Jesus, and Chief Negotiator for Maritime Boundaries H.E. Xanana Gusmão to strengthen our partnership and encourage development of democratic institutions, rule of law, and economic development within Timor-Leste.  On August 30 he will represent the United States at official ceremonies commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Popular Referendum, the United Nations-supervised vote that led to Timor-Leste’s separation from Indonesia and eventual independence in 2002.

From September 1 to 3, Assistant Secretary Stilwell will be in Jakarta to meet with senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Maritime Affairs, as well as representatives from the offices of the President and the Vice President, to discuss a range of issues reflecting our nations’ 70 years of shared values of diversity, partnership, and prosperity.  While in Jakarta, Assistant Secretary Stilwell will meet with participants in the regional Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), as well as have ASEAN-related discussions regarding the future of ASEAN and its place at the heart of the free and open Indo-Pacific region.

In Bandar Seri Begawan from September 3 to 4, Assistant Secretary Stilwell will meet with senior officials from the Bruneian government, including Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Paduka Erywan Yusof, to discuss our broad and growing bilateral relationship.  The Assistant Secretary will also discuss U.S.-Brunei security cooperation and explore ways to enhance economic ties and further cultural and educational connections.

Finally, from September 5 to 6, the Assistant Secretary will be in Singapore and will meet with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, and other senior officials to discuss our countries’ relationship anchored in our indispensable security cooperation, vibrant economic ties, and shared values for sustaining a rules-based world.