DILI, 09 may 2024 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic Jose Ramos Horta, was the guest of honor at a reception hosted by the European Union Ambassador to Timor-Leste to commemorate Europe Day on may 9th. The informal affair at the Ambassador’s official residence in Dili brought together members of the diplomatic corps and government officials.
In his remarks, President Horta paid tribute to the European Union as “a great model of cooperation” that has helped overcome past divisions on the continent.
He expressed hope that “Europe stays united, prosperous, strong” to meet current global challenges.
“We all need a very unified, strong Europe. We need this strong partnership between Europe and China, Europe and India and Europe and the United States, Europe and Africa, and Asia, etc.,” Horta said. “We need the major powers, the major blocs, to reach out to each other and forge a new era.”
The President highlighted the EU’s vital role as a “steady partner of Timor-Leste in many, many areas of development” since independence in 2002.
He fondly recalled his own travels across Europe by train and bus when he had less money during the independence struggle.
“You come across the extraordinary diversity of regions of Europe,” Horta reminisced.
The Head of State praised the continent’s response to COVID-19 as “great examples of possibilities of cooperation” through initiatives like COVAX.
Ramos-Horta reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s “strong commitment to individual freedoms, to democracy, the rule of law” despite slipping in some press freedom rankings recently. He quipped about sending advisors to assist the UK on media freedom based on an earlier interaction with David Cameron.
The President concluded by extending “warm congratulations” to the EU Ambassador and all EU nations as Timor-Leste celebrates its valued European partnership on Europe Day.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
