Timor-Leste’s Delegates attended the 10th IISS ASIA Security Summit - The Shangri-La Dialogue

3-5 - June 2011

The 10^th Shangri-La Dialogue was held in Singapore from 3-5 June 2011, brought together 27 countries of the Asia Pacific and Dialogue partners discussing key element of the Asia-Pacific’s regional security architecture and exchange views on regional security challenges

From left – Amb. Roberto Soares, S.E.D, Dr Julio Tomas Pinto,

C.E.M.G. Major General Taur Matan Ruak

Ambassador Roberto Soares said “that the Shangri-La Dialogue provided a distinctive opportunity for Timor-Leste delegates to seek technical cooperation programme, and sharing Timor-Leste’s experiences and values in the process of the nation building and state institutional development that contributing to the peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. “

Minister for Defense of Australia, Hon . Stephen Smith,

S.E.D, Dr Julio Tomas Pinto,

C.E.M.G.F.D. Major General Taur Matan Ruak

Both Dr. Julio Tomas Pinto and Major General Taur Matan Ruak seize the opportunity during the dialogue for exchanging views on regional challenges and the most salient defense and security issues, as well as undertaken a constructive bilateral dialogue and consultation with some friendly defense ministers and chief of defense forces and prominent leaders from Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, China, New Zealand and USA.

C.E.M.G. Major General Taur Matan Ruak with

Commander of the United States Pacific

Command Robert F Willard

During the meeting, the Chief of Defense Forcers, Major General Taur Matan Ruak also signed the Defense Technical Cooperation Programme with Admiral Robert F Willard, Commander of the United States Pacific Command.

C.E.M.G.F.D. Major General Taur Matan Ruak with Commander of
the United States Pacific Command Robert F Willard
Ambassador Roberto Soares

Timor-Leste delegation was headed by the Secretary of Sate for Defense, His Excellency Mr. Julio Pinto and Chief of Defense Forces, Major General Taur Matan Ruak, accompanied by Ambassador Roberto Soares and two officials of the F-FDTL, -- END

Dr. José Amorim Dias is Timor-Leste’s new ambassador to Malaysia

Amb. José Amorim Dias

Ambassador José Amorim Dias today was sworn in, by H.E. the President of the Republic, Dr. Jose Ramos Horta, as the new Ambassador of the Republic of Timor-Leste to the Kingdom of Malaysia.

Presidente Ramos Horta with Ambassador Amorim Dias

Ambassador José Amorim Dias, a career diplomat, in 1992 after being released from prison he moved from Indonesia to Europe to continue his studies . He was then invited by Dr. José Ramos-Horta, Leader and Spokesperson of the Timorese Resistance in Diaspora, to join the East Timor Diplomatic Front and was appointed as Representative of the National Council of MAUBERE Resistance (CNRM) to the European Community, from the period of 1992 – 1997, with residence in the Netherlands Ambassador Amorim Dias from 1998 to 2 000, moved to Belgium to take up a new post in Brussels, as the Deputy Representative of the National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT) to the European Union. The Representative at that time was the current Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr.Zacarias Albano da Costa.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Zacarias Da Costa

with Amb Amorin Dias

In 2002, after the restoration of independence of Timor-Leste , Ambassador Amorin Dias was appointed as the first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the Kingdom of Belgium and to the European Union.

Minister Zacarias da Costa talking to the media after the ceremony

“Ambassador José Amorim is an experienced Diplomat, who served for several years as Timor-Leste’s Ambassador in the Kingdom of Belgium and European Union. Also, with his knowledge of the region, I’m sure he will use his experience in his new post. We all know that the Kingdom of Malaysia has a special importance for Timor-Leste as it is always present when we are in need. Among all the support Malaysia has given us in the last few years is its participation in the UN Peace Keeping Force in Timor-Leste.” The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Zacarias Albano da Costa, commented after the ceremony .