DILI, 27 april 2022 (TATOLI) – Horta confirmed that the Inauguration Ceremony of the fifth President of the Republic would be presided over by the current President of the National Parliament, Aniceto Guterres Lopes.
“Over the last two years, Aniceto Guterres Lopes was the President of the National Parliament, therefore, he will be presiding over the Presidential Inauguration or the Handover Ceremony on may 19, 2022,” Horta told reporters after he meets with Incumbent President of the Republic, Francisco Guterres Lu Olo, at the Palace of the President, in Dili, today.
Regarding the Leaders who will be invited to attend the inauguration ceremony, Horta said the official invitation for the foreign Head of State has to be made by the incumbent President Lu Olo. Due to the limited time, some foreign Heads of State can’t attend the presidential inauguration: “But, I have contacted several Heads of State via WhatsApp, letters, and phone calls.”
Meanwhile, all the ambassadors in Timor-Leste have officially confirmed with Horta regarding their presence at the presidential inauguration ceremony.
“We have two big events, such as the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony and the Commemoration of the Restoration Independence Day on may 19 and 20 respectively. Therefore, we are going to have heaps of international guests. You know, some Noble peace prize winners, former presidents, and prime ministers will come from Japan, the US, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, South Korea, China, and Portugal to attend these two events,” he said.
“I am concerned that we don’t have enough hotel rooms to accommodate more international guests as all of the hotels across Dili are accommodated,” he said.
Horta guaranteed that the inauguration ceremony would take place with dignity and peace: “Timor-Leste is one of the peaceful countries in Southeast Asia as we have no ethnic, religious and political conflict. Timor-Leste is considered a base of oasis with no conflicts in Southeast Asia, Asia, and the world. Again, Timor-Leste is an oasis with a strong democracy and peace.”
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
