DILI, 20 august 2022 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta said Timor-Leste needs to continue enhancing its defense force (F-FDTL) to support national development by helping the government and civil institutions through military social work.
“We continue to enhance our defense force, so that in times of peace, our defense may be able to support the government, and the civil institutions, especially in times of natural disasters, or in ongoing regular activities through military social work programs. Such as, they help communities to carry out rehabilitation of rural roads, schools, houses of the communities, etc,” Horta said in his remarks at the celebration of the 47th anniversary of Timor-Leste National Defense Force (F-FDTL), at the Palace of the Government, in Dili, today.
He said currently Timor-Leste is in peace, adding the country is committed to strengthening ties with neighboring countries and other nations across the world: “We don’t have enemies and adversaries.”
“We have peaceful relations with our neighboring country, like Indonesia which we share the immediate land border. Meanwhile, we are also in a good relationship with Australia which we share a maritime border. We also have good relations with New Zealand, Pacific Island Countries, and ASEAN member states. All the way to Northeast ASIA, we have close relations with the Republic of Korea, China, and Japan. Timor-Leste also has a good relationship with India,” said Horta.
Apart from Asian countries, Horta said Timor-Leste has so far built close relationships with European countries, particularly Portugal and many other state members of the European Union which stood very much on Timor-Leste side.
“And then South America in particular Brazil and North America. I thank the US Navy who had been supporting F-FDTL for more than 10 years now,” Horta said.
Horta called on the F-FDTL members to enjoy the greatest respect and trust from the people: “This illustration shows how much an army officer is respected by the people when moving around individually or in group in the communities, or in towns across our countries.”
The presence of the F-FDTL members in the communities should make people and communities feel happy and safe.
“Because if people are afraid when seeing army with weapons in the communities, it means that something must be wrong with the army,” Horta stressed.
Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak, the former Chief of the General Staff of F-FDTL, Lere Anan Timur, the current Chief of the General Staff of F-FDTL, Falur Rate Laek, the Chief of the General Staff of the Portuguese Armed Forces, António Manuel Fernandes da Silva Ribeiro, the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army, Andika Perkasa, the General Angus John Campbell, a senior officer in the Australian Army, government members, member of parliaments, and combatants were present at the commemoration of the F-FDTL’s day.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
