Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister, Zacarias Albano da Costa, spoke at the LDC Summit on May 8, 2011

H.E. The Minister for Foreign Affairs,Dr. Zacarias da Costa

 

Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister, Zacarias Albano da Costa, spoke at the LDC Summit on May 8, 2011 and stressed the need for renewed and strengthened partnerships between the Least Developed Countries and the international community to reduce poverty and reach the Millennium Development Goals.  Minister da Costa noted the need to build institutions and capacity within the LDCs as critical to achieving sustainable development including both technical assistance and technology transfer along with financial resources.

  Minister da Costa shared Timor-Leste’s experience as a young post-conflict country and its aim to not only welcome development but to take ownership over all mechanisms and programs to ensure that development occurs in line with national priorities.  Minister da Costa also stated that ambitious goals and targets should be met with action and additional deliverables and commitments by development partners.  

Timor-Leste’s delegation is currently participating in the 4th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries from the 9th to the 13th of May 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey.  Once every ten years a global summit is held dedicated to the LDCs to outline both commitments and programmes designed to assist development among the LDCs with the focus of achieving graduation to middle income status.  Leaders from all over the world have gathered in Istanbul to discuss the new programme of action and hope it contains ambitious goals and targets that will allow half the LDC group to be eligible for graduation by the end of the decade.  

The Timorese Delegation is being led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Zacarias Albano da Costa, with participation of the Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Industry Gil Alves along with a team from the Permanent Mission  in New York to the United Nations and Foreign Ministry staff and representatives of the Chamber of Commerce.

 

A HISTORICAL MOMENT FOR TIMOR-LESTE

Jakarta , 4th of March 2011- The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Zacarias Albano da Costa, at the Joint Ministerial Meeting handed the formal candidacy of Timor-Leste to ASEAN to his counterpart H.E. Dr. Marty Natalegawa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Republic Indonesia, presently chairman of ASEAN.

At the press conference following the event, the Minister Natalegawa expressed his personal satisfaction for having the opportunity to initiate Timor-Leste's formal candidacy to ASEAN's accession, which is will fully supported by the Republic of Indonesia.


The Minister Zacarias da Costa at the occasion said that : “this is a historical moment for Timor-Leste and constitutes a decisive step in our integration in this regional space to which we naturally belong. Asia, more precisely the Southeast Asia, is the most vibrant region in the world”.

The Minister Zacarias da Costa added that: "ASEAN is on its way to a greater economic integration of its member state countries, and Timor-Leste's development will benefit from its membership in this economic Organisation. The increasing of investments will contribute extensively to our strive against poverty and to the improvement of living conditions of our people.”

President of Indonesia declares maximum support to Timor-Leste to join ASEAN

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste Dr. Zacarias da Costa with
President Susilo Banbang Yodhoyono

"The Republic of Indonesia will make every effort in order to fulfill Timor-Leste's dream: to become a full member of ASEAN during the presidency of Indonesia in this Organisation," the President of Indonesia Susilo Babang Yodhoyono declared today 3th of March, in Jakarta during a courtesy visit by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Zacarias Albano da Costa.

The Minister, Zacarias Albano da Costa, has been in Jakarta since the 1st of March leading a large delegation composed of some 40 officials who will take part in the Fifth Joint Ministerial Meeting (JMC) between Timor-Leste and Indonesia.

During the meeting, Minister Zacarias personally submitted a letter from H.E. the President of Timor-Leste, Dr. Ramos Horta, reaffirming the wish of Timor-Leste to join ASEAN and thanking the President of Indonesia, on behalf of the Government and the people of Timor-Leste, for the constant support and sponsorship Indonesia is providing through President Yodhoyno and Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, as demonstrated on several occasions.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste Dr. Zacarias da Costa with

President Susilo Banbang Yodhoyono

Minister Zacarias da Costa also briefed the President on the progress made in the bilateral relations between both countries, “especially in the implementation of the measures advocated by the Commission of Truth and Friendship and also other progress registered in the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), such as the goodwill to conclude the process of the land border demarcation during the year of 2011 and to complete the border passes.”

Minister Zacarias da Costa, also transmitted the intention of H.E. Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão to have a bilateral meeting with H.E. the President Susilo Babang Yodhoyono on the 22nd of March as agreed upon last December at the Bali Democracy Forum.

In response, H.E. the President Susilo Babang Yodhoyono declared his satisfaction in receiving Timor-Leste's delegation in Jakarta for the Fifth Joint Ministerial Meeting, which “simbolizes Indonesia's interest in developing a good relationship with Timor-Leste and to develop all necessary contacts to obtain the support from the rest of the Member States of ASEAN for the admission of Timor-Leste into this Organisation.”

From left: Director General Integration, Dr. Marciano Silva,
Ambassador Juvencio Martins,
Ambassador of TL to Indonesia Mr Manuel Serrano and
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Zaccarias Albano da Costa

Minister Zacarias da Costa concluded by conveying a formal invitation to H.E. ThePresident Susilo Babang Yodhoyono to visit Timor-Leste whenever possible.END

“Minister Zacarias da Costa meets with General Secretary for ASEAN”

Minister Zacarias da Costa with
Secretary General Surin Pitswan

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, H.E. Zacarias Albano da Costa, paid a courtesy call to H.E. Surin Pitswan, Secretary General of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, on Tuesday, the 1st of March, 2011.

During the meeting Minister Zacarias da Costa expressed Timor-Leste's appreciation to the Secretary General of ASEAN for receiving him and his delegation. The delegation included Ambassador Manuel Serrano, Director General for Regional Integration, Dr. Marciano da Silva, Director for ASEAN, Dra. Dirce Carolina Soares, and the Minister's Chief of Staff, Mr. Joao Tavares.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste informed the Secretary General of ASEAN that he will handover Timor-Leste's formal application letter to his counterpart, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Dr. Marty Natalegawa, as the current Chair of ASEAN. The meeting between the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia will take place in Jakarta on the 4th of March, 2011.

At this meeting the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste said that “Timor-Leste has achieved a lot of progress and continues to make efforts in other areas especially, the economic development of the country.”


Minister da Costa also stated that “Timor-Leste has developed a road map for preparation to ASEAN accession, which soon will be presented to the Council of Ministers for endorsement.”

During the meeting the Minister highlighted the importance of building the capacities of East Timorese, especially those involved in matters related to the ASEAN.

In response the Secretary General, said that “ is very happy that Timor-Leste has taken this important step and that Timor-Leste in one way or another has been mentioned in ASEAN since 1999. Therefore,Timor-Leste is in ASEAN landscape.” The Secretary General also stated that “The best form of Timor-Leste integration is through economic integration specially between private sector.” The SG also express his satisfaction and congratulated Timor-Leste for successfully hosting the Fifth ARF EEPs meeting in Dili between 27 and 28 of January 2011.

Minister Zacarias also stated that the current Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Indonesia will be accredited as the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to ASEAN.

The Secretary General of ASEAN was very pleased with the news and said that he is available to receive Ambassador Serrano.

Before the meeting was finished, the Minister for Foreign Affairs conveyed the regards of the President, Jose Ramos Horta, and the Prime-Minister of Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmão, and took the opportunity to reiterate his invitation to the Secretary General of ASEAN to visit Timor-Leste.

The Secretary General of ASEAN, H.E. Surin Pitswan, said he appreciated the invitation and said that he would be visiting Dili as soon as possible. He also reciprocated his best wishes to the President of the Republic and to the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste.

Ambassador Vicky Tchong Presented Letter of Credential to President Hu

Ambassador Vicky Tchong

Her Excellency Ambassador Vicky Tchong, presented her Letter of Credential as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the People’s Republic of China, to His Excellency President Hu Jiantao in a simple, dignified and elegant ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing on the 15^th of February 2011. Ambassador was accompanied by the First Secretary of the Embassy, Mr. Aleixo da Silva.

Also present to witness the Ceremony were the Officials of the Department of the Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.

Ambassador Tchong is the second Timor-Leste Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China.

Ambassador Tchong went to Primary and Secondary education in Dili, and graduated with a Bachelor degree at the National Taiwan Normal University and further pursued a Post Graduate study in Gerontology at La Trobe University, Melbourne.

After the Ceremony, Ambassador had an audience with President Hu in which both of them discussed and exchange ideas of mutual benefits to the two countries.

H.E. the Minister for Foreign Affairs is presently in Jerusalem

H.E. the Minister for Foreign Affairs is presently in Jerusalem, as part of the delegation of H.E. the President of the Republic of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, attending high level meetings namely with President Shimon Peres, H.E. the Vice Prime-Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, and today will met the Prime Minister Benjamim Natanyahu ,as previously scheduled in the 2010 agenda. These high level meetings will establish a cooperation framework between both countries in relevant areas.


This trip overseas of H.E. the Minister for Foreign Affairs will reach its highest point in the Republic of Indonesia where of one of the most important subjects in the Timorese foreign affairs agenda will be implemented: the presentation of the formal request of accession of Timor-Leste to ASEAN.

This will be the first effective step towards Timor-Leste’s integration in that Organization which will affect in a decisive manner the future of this country.

These events, of crucial importance for the future of Timor-Leste, concur with the trip overseas of H.E. the Head of Government to the United Nations headquarters. In this event, the Ministry for foreign Affairs will be represented by H.E. the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs.

ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM (ARF) - MEETING IN TIMOR-LESTE - 27 and 28 of January 2011

H.E. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Zacarias Albano da Costa

delivering his speech

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KEYNOTE ADDRESS

BY

H. E. DR ZACARIAS ALBANO DA COSTA

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE

Mr. Co-Chairs

Experts and Eminent Persons,

Excellencies, SRSG, Members of the Government,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor- Leste, I am pleased to welcome you all to Dili and to the 5th meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum Experts and Eminent Persons.

Since our new nation re-gained independence in 2002, we have worked hard as a people to find our place in the world and particularly in this region. As a result, in our aspirations to achieve full membership of ASEAN, we have now accredited Ambassadorial Representation to all ASEAN countries; have achieved full membership of the ASEAN Regional Forum since 2005 and acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia in 2007.

Timor-Leste has conceived a road map for ASEAN membership. Some concrete steps have been undertaken to realize our firm commitment towards formal integration into the ASEAN community of states. We are in the process of making our formal application to become a full member.

The fact that this process will be initiated under the Chairmanship of Indonesia is testament to the strength of our bilateral ties and depth of friendship. Normalizing relations with our immediate neighbor has been a major foreign policy commitment on our part, and much work has been invested to this end at all levels of Government and State. We have taken a pragmatic proactive approach of engagement to confront issues of common interest. This rooted in the firm belief that our relations must be one that reconciles with the past yet at the same time is forward looking.

Since 2000 Timor-Leste has been invited to attend the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting for Foreign Affairs Ministers as a Special Guest of Honour. As mandated by our Constitution, our policy accords with the ASEAN spirit to promote peace and stability in the region.

In 2006, our nation faced internal conflict. However, through the guidance of our national leadership and the assistance of our ARF partners, we overcame and resolved this conflict. We believe that we can now use our knowledge and experience in conflict resolution gained from this period to assist nations in promoting peace and stability.

Today it is encouraging for Timor-Leste to have so many Experts and Eminent Persons who have taken time off their busy schedules to attend 5th ARF EEP meeting this year. I encourage you to use this opportunity to discuss and exchange views to find concrete actions to strengthen those confidence building measures that have already been adopted, and to discuss and debate new mechanisms and ideas in Preventive Diplomacy which can be used by our nations to further contribute to peace and prosperity in our region.

Over the course of this Forum, I encourage you to build on the deliberation of the 4^th ARF-EEP’s theme of “preparing an ARF Work Plan on Preventive Diplomacy: Moving Forward from Confidence Building Measures to Preventive Diplomacy” as well as new and innovative ideas during your deliberations over the course of the Meeting.

I believe by sharing and comparing perspectives and experiences from the diverse regions represented here, we can pool our ideas to conceptualize and narrow the divergence of views inherent in such a complex term like Preventive Diplomacy to find common ground and evolve measures that are readily acceptable by all participants for the benefit of this region. I have every confidence in your endeavours and wish you well in your deliberations.

Before concluding, I would like to reiterate our gratitude to the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand for their assistance in preparation for this Forum. I would like to acknowledge the presence of our Co-chair, General Boonsrang Niumpradit, the former Commander of United Nations Transitional Administration of East Timor (UNTAET) who dedicated his service at a critical time of our nation and state building by laying the groundwork for the peace and stability. In that regard I would like to extend to him our deepest appreciation and gratitude.

I would like to congratulate Indonesia on its chairmanship of ASEAN. We look forward to continuing to work with Indonesia during its term as the ASEAN Chair to promote peace and stability throughout our region. Indonesia and Timor-Leste have come a long way in forging a productive partnership. Such partnerships have manifested itself in the establishment of a Commission of Truth and Friendship. This mechanism has helped us deal with our common past in a constructive manner. What Indonesia and Timor-Leste have achieved together could be regarded as a successful confidence building measure within the region.

Finally, I would also like to acknowledge the assistance and support provided by our ARF partners to make this meeting possible.

Thank you and obrigado barak.