FOREIGN MINISTER, DR. JOSÉ RAMOS-HORTA WILL HOLD AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO LAO PDR

Dili, 21 January 2004
The Senior Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Dr. José Ramos-Horta, accompanying by Mr. Marciano da Silva, Director of Multilateral Directorate, will leave today to Lao PDR to hold an official visit for five days from January 22-25, 2004.

The objective of the visit is to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. Dr. Ramos-Horta will also seize the opportunity to seek the support of the Lao People Democratic Republic on Timor-Leste’s intention to obtain the observer status in ASEAN as well as full member in ARF. Lao PDR is one of the full members of ASEAN.

During five days visit, the two countries will discuss various issues regarding bilateral relations and at the end of the visit, the two ministers will sign an Agreement on Exemption of Diplomatic and Official Passport Visas between the Lao PDR and Timor-Leste.

After five days visit in Lao PDR, the Senior Minister will pay an working visit to Bangkok, Thailand to address the Keynote Speech and Dialogue on “National Security, Human Rights and Building a Culture of Peace” with members of the National Security Council and the National Human Right Commission of Thailand at the Dusit Thani Hotel. Dr. Ramos-Horta will also play as a Keynote Speaker and Dialogue at the Khon Kaen University and Chiang Mai University.

On February 3-5, 2004, the Senior Minister will attend the Bali Regional Ministerial Meeting on Counter-Terrorism co-hosted by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Government of Australia in Bali.

Dr. Ramos-Horta and his delegations will return to Timor-Leste, on February 6, 2004.