DILI, 03 november 2022 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic José Ramos Horta was awarded the Order of Camões by the Portuguese President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
The Order of Camões is a Portuguese order of knighthood created in 1985 but only fully integrated into the Portuguese honors system on 30 June 2021. It commemorates Luís de Camões, considered Portugal’s national poet.
It is a six-tier order, whose titles are awarded for relevant services to the Portuguese language and its international promotion, and the strengthening of cultural relations between Portuguese-speaking peoples and communities.
President Horta considered the award important to reinforce the ties between Timor-Leste and Portugal.
“I have received three awards from the Portuguese Government, including the Order of Liberty (1998), the Order of Prince Henry (2011), and the Order of Camões,” President Horta said in a statement on thursday.
He said the Order of Camões is presented to the Heads of State during their state visit to Portugal to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
In addition to the awards from Portugal, President Horta has also received several awards from other countries, including the Nobel Peace Prize (1996), the Order of Australia, Brazil, Cuba, Guinea-Bissau, and the Order of Cavo Verde.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
