RG Casey House, Canberra, is the headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the department responsible for the formulation and enactment of Australian foreign policy.

The foreign relations of Australia have spanned from the country's time as Dominion and later Realm of the British Empire to its position as a steadfast ally of the United States throughout the Cold War to its engagement with Asia as a power in its own right. Its relations with the international community are influenced by its position as a leading trading nation and as a significant donor of humanitarian aid. Photo by Adam Carr This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Photo by Adam Carr This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... For other uses, see Canberra (disambiguation). ... The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is an Australian Government department. ... In the Commonwealth of Nations, previously the British Empire, dominion is the term used to refer to a current or former territory of the shared Crown, other than the United Kingdom. ... The Commonwealth Realms, shown in pink A Commonwealth Realm is any one of the sixteen sovereign states within the Commonwealth of Nations that recognise Elizabeth II as their respective monarch. ... The British Empire in 1897, marked in pink, the traditional colour for Imperial British dominions on maps. ... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ... World map showing the location of Asia. ...

Australia's foreign policy is guided by a commitment to multilateralism and regionalism, as well as to strong bilateral relations with its allies. Key concerns include free trade, terrorism, economic cooperation with Asia and stability in the Asia-Pacific. Australia is active in the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations. A countrys foreign policy is a set of political goals that seeks to outline how that particular country will interact with other countries of the world and, to a lesser extent, non-state actors. ... Multilateralism is an international relations term that refers to multiple countries working in concert. ... The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      Regionalism is a term used in international relations. ... Bilateralism is a term referring to trade or political relations between two states. ... Free trade is an economic concept referring to the selling of products between countries without tariffs or other trade barriers. ... Terrorist redirects here. ... Map showing general definition of Asia-Pacific The term Asia Pacific or Asia-Pacific, sometimes abbreviated as APAC, generally applies to the littoral East Asia and South East Asia states that are near the Pacific Ocean, plus the states in the ocean itself (Oceania). ... The foundation of the U.N. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

History

Main article: Diplomatic history of Australia

Its first major independent foreign policy action was to conclude an agreement in 1944 with New Zealand dealing with the security, welfare, and advancement of the people of the independent territories of the Pacific (the ANZAC pact). After the war, Australia played a role in the Far Eastern Commission in Japan and supported Indonesian independence during that country's revolt against the Dutch (1945-49). Australia was one of the founders of both the United Nations and the South Pacific Commission (1947), and in 1950, it proposed the Colombo Plan to assist developing countries in Asia. In addition to contributing to UN forces in the Korean War - it was the first country to announce it would do so after the United States - Australia sent troops to assist in putting down the communist revolt in Malaya in 1948-60 and later to combat the Indonesian-supported invasion of Sarawak in 1963-65. Australia also sent troops to assist South Vietnamese and U.S. forces in Vietnam and joined coalition forces in the Persian Gulf conflict in 1991. Australia has been active in the Australia-New Zealand-United Kingdom agreement and the Five-Power Defence Arrangement--successive arrangements with Britain and New Zealand to ensure the security of Singapore and Malaysia. Australian forces intervened in East Timor which was at the time a Province of Indonesia. Australia helped to liberate the people of East Timor and in 2002 allowed for the state of East Timor to be formed. The state has ongoing problems with civil strife. Australia recently sent a contingent of Australian troops to the state in order to assist in the 2006 East Timor crisis. The diplomatic history of Australia covers the events of Australian foreign relations. ... For other meanings of Pacific, see Pacific (disambiguation). ... The foundation of the U.N. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ... The Colombo Plan began in 1951, and is a regional organisation focused on social development. ... Combatants United Nations:  Republic of Korea,  Australia,  Belgium,  Luxembourg,  Canada,  Colombia,  Ethiopia,  France,  Greece,  Luxembourg,  Netherlands,  New Zealand,  Philippines,  South Africa,  Thailand,  Turkey,  United Kingdom,  United States Medical staff:  Denmark,  Australia,  Italy,  Norway,  Sweden Communist states:  Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,  Peoples Republic of China,  Soviet Union Commanders... State motto: Bersatu, Berusaha, Berbakti State anthem: Ibu Pertiwiku Capital Kuching Ruling party Barisan Nasional  - Yang di-Pertua Negeri Abang Muhammad Salahuddin  - Ketua Menteri Abdul Taib Mahmud History    - Brunei Sultanate 19th century   - Brooke dynasty 1841   - Japanese occupation 1941-1945   - British control 1946   - Accession into Malaysia 1963  Area  - Total 124,450... Location of East Timor. ...

International agencies, treaties, and agreements

One of the drafters of the UN Charter, Australia has given firm support to the United Nations and its specialised agencies. It was a member of the Security Council in 1986-87, a member of the Economic and Social Council in 1986-89, and a member of the UN Human Rights Commission in 1994-96. Australia takes a prominent part in many other UN activities, including peacekeeping, disarmament negotiations, and narcotics control. Australia also is active in meetings of the Commonwealth Heads of Government and the South Pacific Forum, and has been a leader in the Cairns Group — countries pressing for agricultural trade reform in the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) negotiations — and in the APEC forum. In September 1999, acting under a UN Security Council mandate, Australia led an international coalition to restore order in East Timor upon Indonesia's withdrawal from that territory. The foundation of the U.N. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ... A session of the Security Council in progress The United Nations Security Council is the most powerful organ of the United Nations. ... The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations assists the General Assembly in promoting international economic and social cooperation and development. ... The United Nations Commission on Human Rights, a commission supervised by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, is composed of representatives from 53 member states, and meets each year in regular session in March/April for six weeks in Geneva. ... The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is a biennial summit meeting of the heads of government from all Commonwealth nations. ... The Pacific Islands Forum is an inter-governmental consultative process which aims to enhance cooperation between the countries of the Pacific Ocean and represent their interests. ... The Cairns Group is an interest group of 18 agricultural exporting countries, composed of Argentina, Australia , Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Paraguay, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, and Uruguay. ... The Uruguay Round was a trade negotiation lasting from September 1986 to April 1994 which transformed the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade into the World Trade Organization. ... The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (typically abbreviated GATT) was originally created by the Bretton Woods Conference as part of a larger plan for economic recovery after World War II. The GATTs main purpose was to reduce barriers to international trade. ... APEC may refer to: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Action Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour Advanced Placement European Civilization Atlantic Provinces Economic Council This article consisting of a 4-letter acronym or initialism is a disambiguation page — a list of pages that otherwise might share the same title. ...

Australia has devoted particular attention to relations between developed and developing nations, with emphasis on the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) — Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Brunei — and the island states of the South Pacific. Australia is an active participant in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), which promotes regional cooperation on security issues. Australia was a participant at the inaugural ASEAN sponsored East Asia Summit in 2005. Australia's place at the summit was only secured after it agreed to reverse its policy and sign ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. Australia had been reluctant to sign the treaty out of concerns regarding how it would effect Australia's obligation under other treat arrangements including ANZUS. Hymn The ASEAN Hymn Jakarta, Indonesia Membership 10 Southeast Asian states Leaders  -  Secretary General Ong Keng Yong Area  -  Total 4,465,5001 km²   sq mi  Population  -   estimate 566. ... World map exhibiting a common interpretation of Oceania; other interpretations may vary. ... The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a pan-Asia forum to be held annually by the leaders of 16 countries in East Asia and the region, with ASEAN in a leadership position. ...

Australia has a large bilateral aid programme (about $1.3 billion for 1997-98, mostly in the form of grants) under which some 60 countries receive assistance. Papua New Guinea (PNG), a former Australian trust territory, is the largest recipient of Australian assistance. Starting in 1997-99 Australia contributed to the IMF program for Thailand and assisted Indonesia and PNG with regional environmental crisis and drought relief efforts.

Australia is party to the Australia, New Zealand, United States security treaty (ANZUS). The Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty (ANZUS or ANZUS Treaty) is the military alliance which binds Australia and the United States, and separately Australia and New Zealand to cooperate on defence matters in the Pacific Ocean area, though today the treaty is understood to relate to attacks in... The Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty (ANZUS or ANZUS Treaty) is the military alliance which binds Australia and the United States, and separately Australia and New Zealand to cooperate on defence matters in the Pacific Ocean area, though today the treaty is understood to relate to attacks in...

It has also been a party of the Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom force (ANZUK). This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Trade

Overall Australia's largest trading partners are the United States, Japan, China, and the United Kingdom. Australia currently has bilateral Free Trade Agreements with New Zealand, the United States, Thailand and Singapore. Free trade is an economic concept referring to the selling of products between countries without tariffs or other trade barriers. ...

Foreign missions

Australia House, Canada, is an example of an Australian mission. As Canada is a fellow Commonwealth nation, Australia maintains a High Commission there.

Australia has diplomatic representatives in most countries. Australia has official relations with a number of countries. In these countries, Australia maintains an embassy, or in the case of Commonwealth countries, a high commission. Australia has consulates in many countries where there are no official government ties in existence, and these serve primarily to assist Australian travellers and business people visiting those countries. A number of Canadian missions provide consular assistance to Australians in countries in Africa where Australia does not maintain an office (and Australia reciprocates this arrangement for Canada in some other countries). Australia also maintains a Representative Office in the Palestinian Authority. ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (978x687, 211 KB) Taken by SimonP in January 2005 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (978x687, 211 KB) Taken by SimonP in January 2005 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Australia House in Ottawa Australia House in Ottawa, Canada is the residence of the Australian high commissioner to Canada. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... A High Commissioner is a person serving in a special executive capacity. ... A consulate (or consular office) is a form of diplomatic mission in charge of matters related to individual people and businesses, in other words issues outside inter-governmental diplomacy. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... The West Bank The Palestinian National Authority (PNA or PA) is a semi-autonomous state institution nominally governing the bulk of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (which it calls the Palestinian Territories). It was established as a part of Oslo accords between the PLO and Israel. ...

Bilateral relationships

Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, with U.S. President George W. Bush on 16 May 2006, during Howard's seventh official visit to the White House as Prime Minister. From left to right: the Prime Minister's wife Janette Howard, U.S. First Lady Laura Bush, Howard, and Bush.

Australia maintains significant bilateral relations with several countries. Image File history File linksMetadata Howard_and_Bush. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Howard_and_Bush. ... John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939) is an Australian politician and the 25th Prime Minister of Australia. ... For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the 43rd and current President of the United States, inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ... May 16 is the 136th day of the year (137th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see White House (disambiguation). ... Janette Howard (born 11 July 1944) is the wife of Australian Prime Minister John Howard. ... First Lady Laura Bush and former first ladies, from left, Rosalynn Carter, Sen. ... Laura Lane Welch Bush (born November 4, 1946) is the wife of the forty-third and current President of the United States of America George W. Bush and is thereby the First Lady of the United States. ...

• United States
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
• Indonesia
• France
• Japan
• China

International disputes

Australia has a number of ongoing international disputes. Its territorial claim to Antarctica in the form of the Australian Antarctic Territory is suspended by the Antarctic Treaty. Australia's role in the 2003 Invasion of Iraq without UN sanction has been a cause of protest. Presently, there is tension in Australia's relations with Indonesia over the release of Abu Bakar Bashir as well as Australia's recent decision to grant temporary protection visas to 42 West Papuans, after which Indonesia's ambassador was recalled. There was also strained relations between the two countries in 2004-05 when convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby was imprisoned for 20 years for possessing 4.2kg of marijuana, which she claims was not hers. Some Australians believe that Corby is innocent and that the Indonesian trial was not fair as they did not review the evidence put forward by the Corby defence team. The Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) is the part of Antarctica claimed by Australia. ... For the Antarctic Treaty from the Gundam anime, see Antarctic Treaty (Gundam) The Antarctic Treaty and related agreements, collectively called the Antarctic Treaty System or ATS, regulate the international relations with respect to Antarctica, Earths only uninhabited continent. ... The subject of this article is the 2003 invasion of Iraq. ... Abu Bakar Bashir Abu Bakar Bashir (also Abubakar Baasyir, Abdus Somad, and Ustad Abu (Teacher Abu) (born August 17, 1938) is an Indonesian Muslim cleric and leader of the Indonesian Mujahedeen Council (MMI). ... A temporary protection visa (TPV) is a visa issued by the Australian government to persons who have been recognised as refugees fleeing persecution. ... Map showing West New Guinea region The region of West New Guinea is the western half of the island of New Guinea or Papua, and has also been known as Irian Jaya or West Papua. ... Information in this article or section has not been verified against sources and may not be reliable. ... A Cannabis sativa plant The drug cannabis, also called marijuana, is produced from parts of the cannabis plant, primarily the cured flowers and gathered trichomes of the female plant. ...

A recent foreign relations dispute came to light when, on the 12 September 2006, the Australian High Commissioner in Honiara, Solomon Islands — Patrick Cole — was labelled persona non grata by the Solomon Islands government. The incident marked the beginning of a diplomatic dispute between the two nations, with the Australian federal government and in particular the Prime Minister implementing diplomatic changes including new visa requirements on Solomon Islands diplomats.^{[citation needed]} is the 255th day of the year (256th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

• This article contains material from the CIA World Factbook (2000 edition) which, as a US government publication, is in the public domain.
• 2003 U.S. Department of State website.

The World Factbook 2007 (government edtion) cover. ... The public domain comprises the body of all creative works and other knowledge—writing, artwork, music, science, inventions, and others—in which no person or organization has any proprietary interest. ... The United States Department of State, often referred to as the State Department, is the Cabinet-level foreign affairs agency of the United States government, equivalent to foreign ministries in other countries. ...

See also

• Australian contribution to the 2003 Gulf War
• Australia House (Ottawa)
• List of Australians in international prisons
• Anti-Australian sentiment
• Defence of Australia Policy
• Australian diplomatic missions overseas
• Australia and the United Nations

The Australian government was a strong and uncritical supporter of United States policy during the Iraq disarmament crisis and one of only three nations to commit combat forces to the 2003 invasion of Iraq in any substantial numbers, under the operational codename Operation Falconer. ... Australia House in Ottawa Australia House in Ottawa, Canada is the residence of the Australian high commissioner to Canada. ... This is a list of current and former Australian citizens whose detention in prisons outside of Australia or execution is noteworthy. ... Manifestations Slavery · Racial profiling · Lynching Hate speech · Hate crime · Hate groups Genocide · The Holocaust · Pogrom Ethnocide · Ethnic cleansing · Race war Religious persecution · Gay bashing Blood libel · Black Legend Pedophobia · Ephebiphobia Movements Discriminatory Aryanism · Neo-Nazism · Ku Klux Klan National Party (South Africa) American Nazi Party Kahanism · Supremacism Anti-discriminatory Abolitionism... The Defence of Australia Policy was Australias dominant defence policy between 1972 and 1997. ... Australia House in London was Australias first diplomatic mission. ... Flag of the United Nations Australia was a founding member of the United Nations (UN) in 1945 and has been actively engaged in the organisation since its formation. ...

External links

• Australian Department of Foreign Affairs
• Australian Customs Service

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Bilateral foreign relations of Australia by country

China • Indonesia • Japan • New Zealand • United Kingdom • United States Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Bilateralism is a term referring to trade or political relations between two states. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Indonesia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_New_Zealand. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...

v • d • e

Commonwealth of Nations

Sovereign states

Antigua and Barbuda · Australia · Bahamas · Bangladesh · Barbados · Belize · Botswana · Brunei · Cameroon · Canada · Cyprus · Dominica · Fiji · The Gambia · Ghana · Grenada · Guyana · India · Jamaica · Kenya · Kiribati · Lesotho · Malawi · Malaysia · Maldives · Malta · Mauritius · Mozambique · Namibia · Nauru · New Zealand · Nigeria · Pakistan · Papua New Guinea · St. Kitts and Nevis · St. Lucia · St. Vincent and the Grenadines · Samoa · Seychelles · Sierra Leone · Singapore · Solomon Islands · South Africa · Sri Lanka · Swaziland · Tanzania · Tonga · Trinidad and Tobago · Tuvalu · Uganda · United Kingdom · Vanuatu · Zambia This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Sovereignty is the exclusive right to exercise supreme political (e. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations. ... Motto Country Above Self Anthem O Land of Beauty! Royal anthem God Save the Queen Capital (and largest city) Basseterre Official languages English Government  -  Monarch Queen Elizabeth II  -  Governor-General Sir Cuthbert Sebastian  -  Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas Independence  -  19 September 1983  Area  -  Total 261 km² (207th) 101 sq mi... Motto The Land, The People, The Light Anthem Sons and Daughters of Saint Lucia Royal anthem God Save the Queen Capital (and largest city) Castries Government (constitutional monarchy)  -  Monarch Queen Elizabeth II  -  Governor-General Dame Pearlette Louisy  -  Prime Minister Sir John Compton Independence  -  22 February 1979  Area  -  Total 620 km... Motto: Pax et justitia (Latin: Peace and justice) Anthem: St Vincent Land So Beautiful Capital (and largest city) Kingstown Official languages English Government Parliamentary democracy Commonwealth Realm  - Monarch Queen Elizabeth II  - Governor-General Sir Frederick Ballantyne  - Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves Independence From the United Kingdom   - Date 27 October 1979  Area...

Dependencies
Australia:   Ashmore and Cartier Islands · Australian Antarctic Territory · Christmas Island · Cocos (Keeling) Islands · Coral Sea Islands · Heard Island and McDonald Islands · Norfolk Island      India:   Andaman and Nicobar Islands · Lakshadweep      New Zealand:   Cook Islands · Niue · Ross Dependency · Tokelau      United Kingdom:   Akrotiri and Dhekelia · Anguilla · Bermuda · British Antarctic Territory · British Indian Ocean Territory · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Falkland Islands · Gibraltar · Guernsey · Isle of Man · Jersey · Montserrat · Pitcairn Islands · St. Helena (including Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha) · South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands · Turks and Caicos Islands A dependent territory, dependent area or dependency is a territory that does not possess full political independence or sovereignty as a State. ... The Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) is the part of Antarctica claimed by Australia. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Andaman Islands. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Political status Dependency of New Zealand Governor Anand Satyanand Area   – Total  450 000 km² (174 000 mi²) Population Scott Base: 10-80 seasonally McMurdo Station: 200-1000 seasonally Currency New Zealand dollar The Ross Dependency comprises an area of Antarctica (and other land masses in the Southern Ocean) claimed by... Anthem God Save the Queen Akrotiri and Dhekelia (Occupied Areas) Sovereign Base Areas indicated in pink. ... Motto: Research and Discovery Anthem: God Save the Queen Status British overseas territory Official language(s) - Commissioner Tony Crombie Administrator Michael Richardson Area 1,395,000 km² Population c. ... Motto Loyal and Unshakeable Anthem God Save the Queen My Saint Helena Island (unofficial) Capital Jamestown Official languages English Government UK overseas territory  -  Queen Elizabeth II  -  Governor Michael Clancy UK overseas territory  -  Charter granted 1659  Area  -  Total 425 km²  164 sq mi  Population  -  2005 estimate 3,926 (n/a)  -  n... Anthem: God Save the Queen Capital Georgetown Largest city Georgetown Official languages English Government Dependency of St. ... Motto Our faith is our strength Anthem God Save the Queen Capital (and largest city) Edinburgh of the Seven Seas Official languages English Government Dependency of St. ... Motto Leo Terram Propriam Protegat(Latin) Let the Lion protect his own land or May the Lion protect his own land Anthem God Save the Queen Capital Grytviken (King Edward Point) Official languages English Government British overseas territory  -  Head of State Queen Elizabeth II  -  Commissioner Alan Huckle Area  -  Total 3...

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Member states of the East Asia Summit (EAS)

Australia  Brunei  Cambodia  India

Indonesia  Japan  Laos  Malaysia

Myanmar  New Zealand  China (PRC)  Philippines

Singapore  South Korea  Thailand  Vietnam

Potential future members        Timor-Leste     Russia

v • d • e Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)
Members	Australia · Cook Islands · Fiji · Kiribati · Marshall Islands · Micronesia · Nauru · New Zealand · Niue · Palau · Papua New Guinea · Samoa · Solomon Islands · Tonga · Tuvalu · Vanuatu
Associate members	French Polynesia · New Caledonia
Observers	Tokelau · Timor-Leste (special observer)

You are suck a motherfucker The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a pan-Asia forum to be held annually by the leaders of 16 countries in East Asia and the region, with ASEAN in a leadership position. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Brunei. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Cambodia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_India. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Indonesia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Laos. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Malaysia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Myanmar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_New_Zealand. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... For the Chinese civilization, see China. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Philippines. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Singapore. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Korea. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Thailand. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Vietnam. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_East_Timor. ... Motto Honra, Pátria e Povo(Portuguese) Honour, Homeland and People Anthem Pátria Capital (and largest city) Dili Official languages Portuguese, Tetum1 Government Republic  -  President Xanana Gusmão  -  Prime Minister José Ramos Horta Independence from Portugal2   -  Declared November 28, 1975   -  Recognized May 20, 2002  Area  -  Total 14,609 km... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ... The Pacific Islands Forum is an inter-governmental consultative organization which aims to enhance cooperation between the independent countries of the Pacific Ocean and represent their interests. ... Image File history File links PIF_Logo. ... East Timor being a new country has begun to intiate foreign relations with the rest of the global community. ...