DILI,27 january 2023 ( TATOLI)-Australia’s Embassy in Timor-Leste celebrates Australia’s Day in Dili on january 26, 2022.
Australian Chargé d’Affaires John Feakes said Australia Day is a national holiday in Australia, marked by community and family events, festivals, ceremonies, and official functions – both in Australia and abroad.
“The theme of Australia Day 2023 is Reflect, Respect, Celebrate. This year, Australia Day offers an opportunity to recognize prominent Australians; acknowledge our history and our national journey – including the ongoing history, traditions, and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples; and welcome, through citizenship ceremonies, new members of the Australian community into our modern and diverse population” John Fakes told TATOLI in Timor Plaza, Dili.
At the function, Australian Chargé d’Affaires John Feakes remarked about
Australia’s relationship with Timor-Leste that: “The relationship with Timor-Leste is, by any measure, one of Australia’s most important and one of our most valued. It is a relationship between two proudly independent countries,”
“Between two equal partners. Our relationship is anchored by geography, but it is much more than that. It is enlivened by the values that Australia shares. Respect for the rights of the individual, a respect for faith, for the views of others, and a commitment to the domestic process,”
He added the relationship is also, in many cases, deeply personal, stretching back many decades.
“The Australians living and visiting here and the Timorese living in Australia
and contributing to making Australia better and stronger bear contemporary
testament to that. But the sacrifices made by the Timorese people in World War two in defense of Australia must also never be forgotten. It is a debt which all Australians carry including the generations of Australians to come” he concluded.
At the same time the President of the Republic José Ramos Horta on behalf of Timor – Leste congratulates Australia on the celebration of its National Day on 26 January.
President Horta revealed Australia is the neighboring of Timor – Leste, which had supported Timor – Leste in the proses of national development, in many aspects such as; in the sector of education, health defense and security, and the other national development sector during this time.
” Australia had supported Timor – Leste in a difficult situation, they have committed to support us to send material equipment, medicine, and doctors when Timor – Leste faces the Covid – 19 pandemic in 2020,” said Horta.
The event was attended by the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, José Ramos-Horta, and colleagues, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Julião da Silva, the Chief of Defence Force, General Defence Force, Falur Rate Laek, and members of the 8th Constitutional Government, members of the diplomatic corps, Australian business community, development partners and other guests.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
