Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

A paz e a harmonia que durante este ano se verificaram em todo o pais devem ser fonte de inspiração para esta quadra natalícia. Faço votos para que os próximos tempos sejam a continuação de paz e prosperidade duradoiras!

Dame no armonia nebee mosu iha rai laran tomak iha tinan n ee nia laran, tenki sai hu'un ba inspirasaun ba loron boot Natal ida nee. Hau hein katak tempu hirak ba oin sei hatutan no rahun diak no rohan laek!

Peace and harmony enjoyed this year through out the whole country should be a source of inspiration for this Christmas season. I wish that upcoming times shall be a continuation of everlasting peace and harmony.

Ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros

Zacarias Albano da Costa

Year in Review- January 2009

Bangkok

10 to 13 of January 2009

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Zacarias da Costa arrived in Bangkok on January 10, 2009 to accompany H.E. President of the Republic, Dr. Jose Ramos Horta, in his first state visit to the Kingdom of Thailand.

Was Part of the program an audience with His Majesty the King of Thailand, meeting with the Prime Minister of Thailand and his Cabinet.

On January 11th, President of Republic accompany by Minister of Foreign Affairs inaugurated the Embassy of Timor-Leste in Bangkok. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, foreign diplomats and friends attended the ceremony

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste, Dr.zacarias da Costa with
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand Dr. Kasit Piromya

during the inauguration of the Embassy of Timor-Leste

The official visit of the President took place on January 12th, 2009.


H.E. the President and of the Republic and the delegation officially met with H.E. Mr. Aghisit Vejjajiva, the new Prime Minister of Thailand

Presidente Ramos Horta with Prime Minister Aghisit Vejjajiva

At this occasion, both President Ramos Horta and Prime Minister Aghisit Vejjajiva presided the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) between Thailand’s PTT and Timor-Leste .

Secretary of state of Natural Resources Mr. Alfredo Pires signing of the MOU

between Timor-Leste and Thailand's PTT

Both countries renewed as well the MOU on technical cooperation agreement between the República Democratica de Timor-Leste and the Kingdom of Thailand.

The Ramkhamhaeng University conferred the Honorary Doctorate in Political Science on the President.

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej

The President concluded his official visit to Thailand with his audience with the King, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, at Chitlada Palace on January 13, 2009.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste, Dr.zacarias da Costa with
Prime Minister Aghisit Vejjajiva

In the evening, both the President and the Minister for Foreign affairs departed from Bangkok. The President led his delegation to the Philippines while the Minister of Foreign Affairs led his delegation to Europe.

The year in Review - January 2009

January 10 t 21, 2009

The Minister for Foreign Affairs visit to Bangkok, Lisbon, Rome and Brussels

This was the first overseas trip of The Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2009.

President Ramos Horta, Minister Zacarias and
Prime Minister of Thailand

The visit to Bangkok was to accompany H.E. President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, Dr Jose Ramos Horta, I his State Visit to Thailand. Form Bangkok.

From Bangkok Minister Zacarias and his delegation proceed to Lisbon, The Vatican (Rome) and Brussels.

Minister Zacarias da Costa with the CPLP ambassadors accredited
to E.U. and Belgium

During each visit Minister Zacarias da Costa discussed with relevant authorities issues at regional, bilateral and multilateral levels; Issues addressed included the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the areas of capacity building, trade, cultural and education exchanges and the submission of Concordata to the Vatican

Minister Zacarias Albano da Costa andThe Most Reverend

Dominique Mamberti the Secretary for External Affairs of Vatican

The Minister’s program includes the Inauguration of Timor-Leste’s Embassies to the Kingdom of Thailand, Portugal and Timor-Leste Permanent Representative to CPLP in Lisbon.

Taken into consideration of the importance of the Timorese community abroad, the minister also met with Timorese community, students and lay people, in Lisbon and Rome.

In Bangkok - Minister Zacarias da Costa with East Timorese Students

Next : we will cover the trip to Thailand – Bangkok

The Year in Review - MNE during 2009

The Year in review with Photographic Coverage and relevant news

We will be publishing on this blog, a review of major activities involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of RDTL during the year of 2009.

View of the Ministry's Garden

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste reiterates Timor-Leste’s support for Portugal's candidacy to Security Council

Minister Zacarias da Costa with Secretary of State Joao Cravinho

11 of December 2009

The Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste, Dr. Zacarias Albano da Costa, yesterday assured the Secretary of State for International Cooperation of Portugal, Dr. Joao Cravinho, the support of Timor-Leste for Portugal’s candidacy for a Non-Permanent Seat in the United Nations Security Council.

The two met to discuss of bilateral and broader issues outside the Forum on Democracy, held in Bali, Indonesia.

“Timor-Leste is determined to support Portugal’s candidacy and its diplomatic missions are instructed to work to build support, especially the missions in the Asia-Pacific region," Dr. da Costa said.

They also discussed the Programa Indicativo de Cooperação (PIC) and the expansion of the Cluster Project, which is considered a breakthrough in the cooperative relationship between Portugal and Timor-Leste.

Official visits of the Prime Minister of Portugal to Timor-Leste of Dr da Costa to Portugal were other issues discussed.

Both visits would be the first official visits during the term of the current government of Timor-Leste.

Timor-Leste intends to open a consular agency in the UK

Minister Zacarias da Costa

Timor-Leste has advised the United Kingdom of its intention to open a Consular Agency attached to the Consulate of Portugal in Manchester, UK.

Timor-Leste Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Zacarias Albano da Costa, advised the UK’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste of the intention during a meeting outside the Forum of Democracy in Bali, Indonesia.

There are around three thousand East-Timorese with Portuguese nationality living in United Kingdom, mainly in Northern Ireland, Manchester and Oxford.

“They need support from the Timor-Leste Government,” Dr da Costa said.

“We are moving to open the consular agency to provide that support to our emigrant citizens.”

Other topics discussed during the meeting included the extension of UNMIT, Timor-Leste’s safety situation, economic development, education, and public administration, and Timor-Leste’s bid for membership of ASEAN.

Ambassador Hatfull said that his government would continue to provide scholarships that would enable Timorese students to pursue their studies in the United Kingdom to gain professional expertise and qualification needed to help Timor-Leste move forward.

The Maldives wants to sign Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation with Timor-Leste

Minister Zacarias da Costa with Minister Ahmed Shaheed

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, Ahmed Shaheed, today expressed the desire of his government to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Maldives and Timor-Leste.
.
"There is potential for cooperation between our two countries, and we can set some priority areas through a Memorandum of Understanding," he said at a bilateral meeting with his East Timorese counterpart alongside the Forum of Democracy in Bali, Indonesia.

Also discussed was an exchange of official visits at Foreign Minister level, and regional and international issues including the issue of the candidacy of the Maldives for the UN Human Rights Council, Guantanamo, Myanmar, and Portugal's candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Timor-Leste Foreign Minister, Dr Zacarias da Costa, assured Mr Shaheed of, Timor-Leste’s support for the Maldives’ bid for membership of the Human Rights Council. He said Mr Shaheed responded positively to Timor-Leste’s request for support for the candidacy of Portugal to a non-permanent seat in the United Nations’ Security Council.

MNE of TL - has called on the Moroccan Government to allow the return home to her family of West Saharan activist, Aminatu Haidar..

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Zacarias Albano da Costa

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste, Dr Zacarias Albano da Costa, has called on the Moroccan Government to allow the return home to her family of West Saharan activist, Aminatu Haidar..

Haidar began a hunger strike at the airport of Lanzarote, 14 days ago over the refusal of Morocco to allow her to return home.

"For humanitarian reasons, we appeal from here to the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco to authorize Haidar's return home as soon as possible," Minister Zacarias da Costa said.

The Minister said Timor-Leste was sympathetic the Saraui people as their struggle for self-determination in West Sahara, is similar to Timor-Leste's struggle for self-determination and independence.

Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros estranha e repudia o teor das declarações de S. Exa. o Embaixador da Austrália em Timor-Leste, Peter Heyward

H.E.  Dr. Zacarias Albano da Costa 

Ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros

RDTL

Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros

Gabinete do Ministro  

Comunicado

A proximidade geográfica, a intensa cooperação entre Timor-Leste e a Austrália, a amizade e a partilha de valores pelos seus Povos constituem elementos estruturantes de uma sólida relação que tem sido, e continuará a ser, activamente cultivada pelo Governo de Timor-Leste. Existe, aliás, do ponto de vista económico um interesse mútuo, cremos, em estreitar a parceria existente, em benefício dos Povos Timorense e Australiano.  

Neste contexto, o Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros estranha e repudia o teor das declarações de S. Exa. o Embaixador da Austrália em Timor-Leste, Peter Heyward, a uma agência noticiosa estrangeira, no passado dia 28 de Novembro, pouco próprias da sua condição de Chefe de Missão Diplomática de um Estado amigo. 

As declarações sobre a honorobilidade de titulares de Órgãos de Soberania e funcionários do Estado Timorense configuram em si um comportamento infeliz e incompreensível para um experiente diplomata. Ao abrigo da Convenção de Viena sobre Relações Diplomáticas, seria desejável verificar-se maior contenção no que respeita aos assuntos internos do Estado Timorense.

As declarações proferidas pelo representante diplomático australiano são contudo contraditórias com o espírito de missão e cooperação de um elevado número de cidadãos australianos, incluindo militares, que têm exercido funções em Timor-Leste, contribuindo para a paz e para o fortalecimento das instituições do Estado, constituído há sete anos.  

O apoio dos parceiros internacionais para o desenvolvimento de Timor-Leste é especialmente apreciado se integrado no espírito da Declaração de Paris sobre Eficácia da Ajuda e dos Objectivos de Desenvolvimento do Milénio, essencial para a prossecução das prioridades nacionais definidas pelo Governo, em linha com o seu Programa aprovado pelo Parlamento Nacional. 

O Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros tomará as diligências apropriadas face à situação exposta, reconhecendo, contudo, que as declarações de S. Exa. o Embaixador Australiano não devem perturbar o espírito de parceria, a amizade entre os dois Povos, bem assim as excelentes relações entre o Governo de Timor-Leste e o Governo da Austrália.FIM 

  
 

TIMOR-LESTE CONGRATULATES THE APPOINTMENT OF THE NEW SRSG OF THE UNITED NATIONS

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Zacarias Albano da Costa, welcomed the appointment of Ms. Ameerah Haq as successor of Dr. Athul Kare as Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nation for Timor-Leste. 

Ms. Haq is the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations for Sudan, as well as the Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator and Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in that country.

Minister Zacarias said that he believed that with the qualifications and experience especially in regions much more difficult than Timor-Leste, Ms. Haq has all the conditions to continue the excellent work performed by Dr. Athul Kare.

Minister Zacarias da Costa with Dr. Athul Khare 

Minister Zacarias takes this opportunity to address his best wishes and the most profound appreciation at Dr. Khare’s farewell.END

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS AMEERAH HAQ OF BANGLADESH

The Secretary-General has appointed Ameerah Haq of Bangladesh as his Special Representative for Timor-Leste and Head of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). Ms. Haq succeeds Atul Khare of India. The Secretary-General is grateful to Mr. Khare for his dedicated service and excellent leadership of UNMIT over the past three years.

Ms. Haq brings to the Mission extensive management and operational experience, particularly at the senior level. She most recently served as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan as well as the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan (2007-2009), and, before that, as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, as well as the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan (2004-2007). Her broad management experience in supporting complex mission deployment activities will greatly contribute to her new role at UNMIT.

She was formerly the Deputy Assistant Administrator and Deputy Director of the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Headquarters in New York. She served as the United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Malaysia from 1994 to 1997 and in the same capacity in Laos from 1991 to 1994.

Ms. Haq worked in the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific at UNDP Headquarters in various capacities from 1980-1990, which included responsibilities for aid coordination mechanisms and as Desk Officer for Thailand, Myanmar and Bhutan. She also had an assignment with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) from 1985 to 1987. She started her career in 1976 as a Junior Professional Officer in Jakarta, Indonesia and was transferred to Afghanistan as Assistant Resident Representative in 1978.

Ms. Haq holds master’s degrees in community organization and planning and in business administration from Columbia University and New York University, respectively. She completed a Bachelor of Arts at Western College in Oxford, Ohio.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - budget for 2010 was approved in the Parliament

The annual budget for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the financial year of 2010 was approved today in the Parliament.

The total budget for Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the year the financial year of 2010 is equivalent to 14,167 millions dollars, which will facilitate the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to reinforce its capacity to execute the external police .

Within the approved budget Timor-Leste will open an Embassy in Angola and South Africa. This budget also contemplates the following areas:

• Expenses in relation to the preparation for the adhesion of Timor-Leste in ASEAN which is expected to happen in the year of 2012, and

• Continuation and finalization of negotiation about the border delimitation


During the debate the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Zacarias Albano da Costa answered question by the parliamentarians.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs met with Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Timor-Leste

Minister Zacarias Albano da Costa with Ambassador Christiaan Tanghe

Today 24 Nov 09, the Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Dr. Zacarias Albano da Costa met with H.E. Mr. Christiaan Tanghe, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Timor-Leste with residence in Jakarta.

Ambassador Tanghe is in Dili to present his credentials to H.E. President Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta

Before the event, Ambassador Christiaan Tanghe made a courtesy call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Zacarias Albano da Costa to present a copy of the Credential letter.

Ambassador Christiaan Tanghe presenting a copy of the Credential letter

Minister Zacarias da Costa warmly welcomed Ambassador Tanghe and exchanged some views on bilateral affairs between Timor-Leste and Belgium since the Foreign Minister’s visit to Belgium in January this year.

The Foreign Minister expressed “Timor-Leste’s gratitude for Belgium’s long standing support for Timor-Leste before and after the independence, especially since 2002 to date”.

Among the points of discussion were the appointment of next Timor-Leste Ambassador to Belgium and European Union and the Training of Timor-Leste junior diplomats in Belgium.

Minister Zacarias Albano da Costa with Ambassador Christiaan Tanghe and
Minsitry of Foreign Affairs' senior staff

Ambassador Tanghe was very pleased to acknowledge Timor-Leste’s interest to enhance the knowledge of its diplomats and to undertake training in Belgium.

20th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the United Nations in November 1989, spells out the basic human rights to which children everywhere are entitled. It has since been ratified by all governments .

Timor-Leste ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in April 2003.


The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Zacarias Albano da Costa commenting on the situation of the children in Timor-Leste said :

“A lot have been done in Timor-Leste to help the situation of children. However, a lot more still need be done. The statistics on child mortality rates have decreased immensely in later years , but we still far behind the point where we can say that health care for children is in such way that we can now focus on reduce child labor . It is heart braking to see children of 8 , 9 . 10...years old walking on the streets carrying have loads on there young shoulders trying to sell bananas, mangos and other commodities to help support their family income. We need to join our efforts to improve the lives of our children so they can grow within the formal education system and become the future of this country”.


“ We need to work hard to build our country and give dignity to our children’s life! They must be the focus of our priority as they are the future of this country. The Convention on the Rights of the Child stands as a universal standard and is the guideline to help us the correct track in improving our world. Let’s work together and give a better life to Timor-Leste’s children”.END

Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs from New Zealand visit the Minister of Foreign Affairs , Dr Zacarias da Costa

Minister Zacarias Albano da Costa with the Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Mr Tony Browne, and Ambassador Mr. Tim McIvor

Today 16 Nov- 2009 the Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs from New Zealand, Mr. Tony Browne accompanied by H.E Ambassador of New Zealand to Timor-Leste, Mr. Tim McIvor, paid a courtesy visit to H.E. the Minister of Foreign Affairs , Dr Zacarias Albano da Costa.

Mr. Bowne is in a working visit to Timor-Leste as from 15 until 17 of November 2009.

“It is a pleasure to be in Timor-Leste, especially when our relationship is growing now in a more stable security environment. We are happy to be part of the growth of the new country and we are looking forward to co-operate even more in the future.The commitment of New Zealand government is such that we have decide 1 million dollars extra to Timor-Leste aid” said Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs from New Zealand Mr. Tony Browne.

Minister Zacarias Albano da Costa with the Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tony Browne,
Ambassador Mr. Tim McIvor and Senior Staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The main issues discussed during the meetings covered areas of cooperation between Timor-Leste and New Zealand, the forthcoming adhesion of Timor-Leste in ASEAN and its importance to Timor-Leste. “Timor-Leste has to look at its priorities in the region and it is important for us to join the ASEAN which expected to happen in 2012. In the preparation for this big step we have set our priorities. To facilitate our work we created already the National Secretariat for ASEAN and we have established in Jakarta a Liaison officer for ASEAN secretariat in Jakarta. We have appointed already ambassadors to all ASEAN countries and have embassies in most of them. I think from our side we can add values to ASEAN countries. We share the same views in the human rights and democracy.”

Minister Zacarias also said that “Timor-Leste adhesion to ASEAN is a State priority.”

Timor-Leste’s economical expectation was also discussed during the meeting Minister Zacarias da Costa highlighted that “Besides the oil industry, Timor Leste is very strong in the production of coffee which still is the number one of Timor-Leste’s export. In relation to agriculture, this is one of the main potential for our economy, but at this stage there is a need of being self-sufficient first and than think about exporting; In relation to fishery, there is a potential there. Our shore is very rich; we need to protect our waters. Yes the maritime security is an issue for us.”

Mr. Brown expressed that New Zealand is looking forward and is committed to work together with Timor-Leste.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Zacarias Albano da Costa was invited to visit New Zealand next year and he reciprocated the invitation for his counterpart to visit Timor-Leste. END