AUSTRALIA DONATES BOOKS TO TIMOR LESTE LIBRARY

Dili, 02 March 2004
The Timor-Leste Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MFAC) had its library considerably enhanced today with a generous donation of books from the Australian Government.

Australia’s Ambassador to Timor Leste, Paul Foley, said the gift of the collection of publications produced by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was one way of showing Australia’s support for MFAC.

“This significant book collection highlights Australia’s involvement in the region and our continuing commitment to Timor Leste,” said Ambassador Foley.

“Australia has provided over $A2.6 billion in development assistance to East Timor since 2000, including on Defence Cooperation, Police Cooperation and AusAID development projects, and Australia will continue to provide important support in areas of development.”

The Australian Collection comprises a wide selection of books on Australian Foreign and Trade Policy, economic analyses of countries in the region and the specially produced East Timor in Transition 1998 – 2000: An Australian Policy Challenge.

Ambassador Foley presented the collection to Dr Nelson Santos, Secretary General of the Timor-Leste Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, on behalf of Dr Ashton Calvert, the Secretary of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

Caption: Australian Ambassador, Paul Foley, presents the Secretary General of the Timor-Leste Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Nelson Santos, with a significant gift of books from the Australian Government for the MFAC library.