An agreement between the Governments of Japan and Portugal concerning the establishment of aerial service between Palao and Deli was signed at 11 a.m., yesterday, at Lisbon between the Japanese Minister to Portugal, Shin-ichi Chiba, and the Portuguese Foreign Minister, Antonio de Oliveira Salazar.
Deli is the capital of the Island of Timor belonging to Portugal. The establishment of an aerial route connecting this city with Palao has been a pending question since June last year, concerning which negotiations have been conducted by our Government with the Portuguese Government. That these negotiations have successfully resulted in the conclusion of the present agreement is a source of profound satisfaction.
With the understanding of the Portuguese Government, test flights were carried out seven times in all between October last and August this year, while negotiations were carried on. As these test flights were greatly successful, regular service will shortly be inaugurated upon the completion of various preparations. In view of the shortening of the distance between Japan and the South Sea Islands which will render closer their relations which have hitherto been handicapped by the lack of communication facilities, the establishment of this aerial route must be said to have a deep significance.
The contents of the agreement will be made public later by both Governments.