DR. JOSÉ RAMOS-HORTA, PAYS OFFICIAL VISITS TO EUROPE AND AFRICA

Dili, 17 March 2004
Senior Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Dr. José Ramos-Horta, has left Dili on March 13 to Speech at the Human Right Commission in Geneva and follow by Official visit to Europe and African countries, such as Swiss, Poland, Guinea Bissau, Angola and Mozambique.

On 17 of March, Dr. Ramos-Horta, will participate in Sixtieth Session of Human Right Commission in Geneva, whereby will have the opportunity to deliver a speech on the progress of Human Right situation in Timor-Leste.

On March 19, Dr. Ramos-Horta and delegation will travel to Guinea Bissau, to observe the election campaign that is taking place in that country. Dr. Ramos-Horta is in Guinea Bissau, as the Special Envoy of CPLP and also to represent the Government of Timor-Leste in observing the campaign process.

From 1-3 of April, Dr Ramos-Horta will be accompanied by Mr. Amorin Dias, the Ambassador of RDTL to European Union in Brussels, will pay an official visit to Poland. The objective is to develop further cooperation and friendships between the two countries. Poland is among the 10 countries which will be joining European Union, next May.

After Poland, Dr. Ramos-Horta will pay respectfully visit to Angola and Mozambique. The main objective of the visit is to thank the two governments which have been loyal and sympathy of the cause of Timor-Leste in the difficult times for their solidarity and assistance to the cause and liberation of Timor-Leste. Furthermore, it will be an occasion to explore further cooperation and to strengthening the friendship between the countries and the peoples.

In Maputo, Mozambique, Dr. Ramos-Horta, will officially inaugurate the embassy of Timor-Leste, which will be the first embassy of RDTL in Africa. Ms. Marina Alkatiri, will be Charge d’ Affairs of Timor-Leste to Maputo, Mozambique.

Dr. Ramos-Horta and delegations will return to Dili, on 24 of April 2004.