THE FIRST JOINT MINISTERIAL COMMISSION MEETING BETWEEN TIMOR-LESTE AND BRAZIL

Dili, 16 February 2004

The Senior Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Dr. José Ramos-Horta lead the Timor-Leste’s delegations to attend the Joint Ministerial Commission Meeting between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Federative Republic of Brazil which will be held in Brasília, from 17-18 February 2004.

The commission is to discuss various issues mutual interest between the two countries. The Brazilian Government has proposed to discuss the existing program of cooperation between Timor-Leste and Brazil, such as; Education, Project of Cooperation, Defense, Agriculture, Justice, Health, Culture, Human Right, and Environmental and also among other issues.

“Of course this is an opportunity for head of delegations, Dr. Ramos-Horta to discuss other issues concerning of mutual interest between the two countries, as well as on political and international relations. The Foreign Minister, Dr. Ramos-Horta will also seize the occasion to express Timor-Leste’s appreciation and gratitude to the Brazilian continuing support for the past twenty seven years” said Mr. Nelson Santos

Timor-Leste delegations for the Joint Ministerial Commission Meeting are as follows; The Senior Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta, Ambassador RDTL to the United Nations and the United Stated of America, Dr. Jose Luis Guterres, Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, Eng. Estanislau Aleixo da Silva, the Secretary of State for Defence, Dr. Roque Rodrigues and the Secretary General and Director of Bilateral Affairs Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mr. Nelson Santos.

“This is the first official visit of Timor-Leste delegations to Brazil to attend the first Joint Ministerial commission Meeting based on Memorandum of Understanding that has been signed by the two countries. Timor-Leste and Brazil is member of CPLP. Brazil has been provided the significant assistance for Timor-Leste” add Mr. Nelson.

On 19th of February 2004, the Foreign Minister Dr. Ramos-Horta, the Ambassador of RDTL to the United Nations and the United Stated of America, Dr. Jose Luis Guterres and the Secretary General of MNEC, Mr. Nelson Santos will depart to New York, to attend the Security Council meeting.

The delegations will return to Dili on 26th of February 2004 and will hold the press conference at the VIP room, Airport International Nicolau Lobato Dili.