DILI, 12 december 2023 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste, the first new sovereign state of the 21st century, will establish its embassy in Angola, one of the members of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries, India, and a consulate in Northern Ireland by 2024 to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the three countries.
“We have allocated funds to establish two embassies in India and Angola and will also open a consulate in Northern Ireland to fulfill Timor-Leste’s foreign policy role. We recognize that India is one of the most powerful countries on the ASEAN continent, and we have had good diplomatic relations with India since the restoration of Timor-Leste’s independence,” Deputy Minister of ASEAN Affairs Milena Rangel told Tatoli at the National Parliament in Dili on tuesday.
She also recalled that the establishment of embassies in both countries is a commitment of both leaders, Narendra Modi and Xanana Gusmão, which was confirmed during the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta.
Meanwhile, Angola, according to Rangel, is a true friend and sister country of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries, so the establishment of the Timor-Leste Embassy in Angola and vice versa is a very positive thing that further strengthens the cooperation between the two countries.
“The establishment of these embassies aims to demonstrate the relationship between the people and the state by strengthening diplomatic relations. That is why our country has established embassies in Angola, India, and a consulate in Northern Ireland,” she said.
At the same place, the Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão, claimed that in terms of international relations and foreign policy, “I would like to highlight the investment in a new Embassy in India, which is one of the countries with the largest economy and democracy in the world, and a consulate in Northern Ireland, to protect and provide consular services to Timor-Leste people who live in those countries,” Prime Minister Gusmão said.
According to Prime Minister Gusmão, the government also emphasized the important role of diplomacy in attracting foreign investment that can create job opportunities for Timorese in the future.
Previously, the Government of India, through the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, during his visit to Timor-Leste, also asked the government to open the Indian embassy in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste.
“India wants to open its embassy in Dili. Therefore, on behalf of India, I have asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation to give us a piece of land in the coastal area to set up our embassy.”.
He said that the establishment of the Indian embassy in Dili would certainly strengthen the ties between the two countries.
So, the Indian government will have premises for its embassy in Dili, which will facilitate the work of Indian diplomats in the country.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
