DILI, 19 May 2026 (TATOLI) — Former Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda and his wife, Bernadetta Febriana, along with former Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and his wife, Sranya Bamrungphong Natalegawa, have arrived in Dili to attend celebrations marking the 24th anniversary of Timor-Leste’s Restoration of Independence.
The former foreign ministers were received by the Directorate-General for Consular and Protocol Affairs (DGACP) of Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili.
They will be among the distinguished guests attending celebrations marking Timor-Leste’s Restoration of Independence on May 20.
Meanwhile, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles is also expected to attend the event, along with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn.
The attendance of the international dignitaries reflects continued recognition by the global community of Timor-Leste’s achievements in peace, democracy and nation-building since restoring independence on May 20, 2002.
Timor-Leste restored its independence on May 20, 2002, after a United Nations-administered transition period, officially becoming the first sovereign state of the 21st century.
The restoration of independence followed the historic Aug. 30, 1999 referendum, in which more than 78% of Timorese voters chose independence from Indonesia in a U.N.-sponsored popular consultation.
TATOLI
