DILI, 16 August 2023 (TATOLI) – The President of the National Parliament, Maria Fernanda Lay will represent Timor-Leste at the XIV Summit of Heads of State of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), which will take place in Sao Tome and Principe, on 27 August 2023.
“I will represent Head of State Ramos Horta at the CPLP Summit in São Tome Príncipe. The President of the Republic will not be attending this international summit, as he will be addressing other priority issues in the country. Before participating in this summit, I consulted with the head of state to provide ideas regarding the next summit in Timor-Leste,” said Fernanda Lay,told the journalists, at the Presidential Palace, in Aitarak-Laran.
Lay added the Head of State has no intention of holding the next Head of State Summit in Timor-Leste between 2025 and 2027 because Timor-Leste is still preparing all the conditions to become a full member of ASEAN.
“I asked for authorization at the next CPLP Summit in Timor-Leste. But the President said the country is still preparing for the accession process to ASEAN in 2025. For this reason, I will convey the position of our President of the Republic in CPLP Head of State meetings for consideration,” She explained.
The President also indicated that the delegation of the President of the National Parliament will depart on 21 August.
So far, the Government of Timor Leste approved, on 10 August, a budget amount of US$750 thousand to finance and contribute to all activities of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) during the two years of its presidency.
The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe will host the CPLP XIV Conference of Heads of State and Government, on 27 August 2023.
São Tomé and Príncipe will replace the Republic of Angola in the organization’s rotating presidency, for a two-year term, with “Youth and Sustainability” being the theme marking the exercise of the two-year presidency of São Tomé from 2023 to 2025.
The official summit ceremony will take place in the capital of São Tomé, between 21 and 27 August 2023.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
