DILI, 10 janaury 2023 (TATOLI) – The President of the National Parliament, Aniceto Longuinhos Guterres called on Asian countries to maintain peace in the region.
“We recognize the importance of maintaining peace in this growing region. Creating, and sustaining peace is an arduous task that can take years to accomplish,” Guterres made the comments in his speech at the 13th Plenary Session of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, in the Turkish city of Antalya.
He said the region must emphasize the importance of investing much more in conflict prevention and resolving tensions through peaceful settlement, dialogue, and reconciliation.
Guterres said that Timor-Leste is a strong advocate of multilateralism, saying the regional organizations can play a pivotal role in maintaining regional stability and regional economic cooperation, which will help not only address current and emerging global issues but also national issues: “In this era, of course, we need more cooperation and more multilateralism, when some countries prefer to prioritize their own strategic agenda and abandon the rest of the world. Timor-Leste will play a more active role in these areas, to encourage stronger cultural, economic, and trade relations with other countries, all of which are crucial to maintaining the commitment to the struggle for peace and stability.”
He said that Timor-Leste was the second country to adopt the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, also known as the Abu Dhabi declaration or Abu Dhabi agreement, which was signed by Pope Francis of the Catholic Church and Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, on february 4, 2019, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
“Our National Parliament voted unanimously to adopt the Document on Human Fraternity as a national document. It was shared with our national authorities, as well as with the Catholic Church and other religious groups, and it was introduced in the school curriculum. Indeed, this document is aligned with the values and principles of our Constitution,” Guterres stressed.
He said the war in Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic are the greatest tests of multilateralism, both the virus and the consequences of the war have no borders, and all countries are affected.
“Therefore, multilateral is an international system that can effectively address global issues within its nature and complexity. In this regard, Timor-Leste calls for more multilateral action, comprehensive and holistic approaches, cooperation, and joint efforts. Our nation also calls for renewed political will and solidarity to end the war in Ukraine. We urge the acceleration of recovery from the effects of Covid-19, the allocation of more resources in climate mitigation, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. This will ensure that our citizens, including women, children, and the elderly, can benefit from regional peace and respect for humanity based on the Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living,” he concluded.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
