Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern is expected to pay an official visit to the world's youngest nation, Timor Leste, next month.
The country, which was previously known as East Timor, won independence in 2002 after more than 400 years of occupation by Portugal and Indonesia.
Timor Leste will receive five million euro in Irish Aid funding this year. Foreign Affairs Department officials are still working on the detail of Mr Ahern's visit in mid-February.
The itinerary will be subject to local security assessments. Irish troops participated in UN peacekeeping operations in Timor Leste between 1999-2004.
Aid agency Concern has been working in the Asian state since 1999 mainly on education, malnutrition and rural development programmes.
Trocaire has also been supporting projects run by local NGOs in the country since 2000. The Government provided €4.6 million in aid to the country last year.
PA
