DR JOSÉ RAMOS -HORTA OFFICIALLY OPENED 1ST TIMOR-LESTE EMBASSY IN MAPUTO-MOÇAMBIQUE

Dili, 14 April 2004
Senior Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation H.E. Dr Ramos-Horta officially opened the Timor-Leste Embassy in Moçambique. The Minister was joined by the newly appointed Charge d’ Affaires Dr. Marina Alkatiri, esteemed Moçambique citizens, representatives of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries and Timorese people.

In his opening speech the Minister said, “This is an historic occasion as it is the first RDTL Embassy to open in the African continent. Importantly Moçambique currently occupies the Presidency of the African Union (previously called the Organization of African Unity). Moçambique was the first country in the World to recognize the proclamation of the independence of Timor-Leste on 28th of November 1975. Moçambique has long been a good friend to the Timorese people; for many years supporting Timorese leaders. It is therefore befitting that our first Embassy in African continent is established here.”

The Minister concluded, “The opening of the Embassy underlines the importance of the historic relations between the two countries and marks a more active presence of Timor-Leste in the African continent.”

The opening of the Embassy was one of many important functions the Minister undertook in this historic visit. On the first day the Minister held bilateral cooperation discussions with his counterpart, H.E. Dr. Leonardo Simao.

A special seminar at the Moçambique International Conference Centre was held in honour of this historic visit. It was attended by over 150 delegates, and titled ‘Timor Leste-Regional Challenges of State Construction’.

A meeting with the Minister of the Interior was followed by a visit to the National Police Academy, where Dr. Ramos-Horta gave a keynote address to the 400 participants drawn from the highest ranks of the Moçambique Police Force.

H.E. Dr. Ramos-Horta and his delegation’s visit will be finalized with courtesy calls on H.E. President Joaquim Chissano and the President of the National Parliament.