DILI, 20 March 2025 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, Jose Ramos-Horta received a delegation of councilors representing the Portuguese communities in Asia and Oceania at the Presidential Palace Nicolau Lobato.
The meeting coincided with the first Regional Council meeting of the Portuguese Communities of Asia and Oceania being held in Dili on March 20-21, marking the first time Timor-Leste hosts such a gathering since gaining representation on the council in 2023.
The delegation included representatives from Timor-Leste, Australia, Macau, and China, who expressed their commitment to strengthening cultural and linguistic connections across the region. The councilors highlighted the historical ties between Portugal, Timor-Leste, Macau, and Australia, emphasizing their desire to collaborate on initiatives promoting Portuguese language and culture throughout Asia and Oceania.
“During the meeting, the councilors proposed several collaborative projects, including educational exchanges that would enable Timorese students to study Portuguese at universities in Macau. They sought the President’s support in facilitating cultural activities and fostering cooperation between Portuguese communities across different countries in the region,” a statement read.
President Horta welcomed their initiatives and encouraged the councilors to develop activities that promote cultural exchange and highlight the historical relationships between Portugal and Timor-Leste.
Horta challenged the delegation to create projects that would strengthen Portuguese cultural presence in the region, reinforcing Timor-Leste’s role as a representative of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) in Asia.
TATOLI
