Tuesday, 26 January 2010

Minister of Foreign Affairs from Maldives visits Timor-Leste

Minister Zacarias da Costa with Minister Ahmed Shaheed

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, Mr. Ahmed Shaheed, arrived today for an an official visit of four days to Timor -Leste.

Minister Ahmed Shaheed greeting Minsitry of Foreign Affairs' senior staff .


Early in the afternoon Minister Ahmed Shaheed paid a cortesy visit to the Minister of foreign Affairs, Dr. Zacarias Albano da Costa .

During the meeting, the Ministers discussed issues of common interest for both countries, including the consolidation of the democratic process inh both young nations, and the impact of climate change on both countries.
Minister Saheed with Minister Zacarias da Costa

During his stay in Timor-Leste, Minister Saheed will pay a cortesy visit to H.E. the President of Republic, Dr Ramos Horta, the Vice-Minister, Jose Luis Guterres, and the Vice-President of the Parliament, Mr Vicente Guterres.

On Friday, Mr Shaheed will have wide ranging discussions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the participation of the Minister of Economy and Development, Joao Goncalves, Minister of Commerce and Tourism and Industry,Mr. Gil Alves and Departmental officers.END

CTF meeting in Bali - on 20 January 2010

Dr. Isilio Coelho
National Director for External Relations of MNE
Led RDTL delegation


Joint Press Statement


The Fourth Senior Officials’ Meeting between


the Republic of Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste




Bali, Indonesia, 21-22 January 2010




The Fourth Senior Officials’ Meeting between the Republic of Indonesia (RoI) and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (TL) was convened in Bali, Indonesia on 21-22 January 2010 to review the progress and to discuss the Joint Plan of Action in implementing recommendations in the Final Report of the RoI and TL Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF). The meeting of the Working Group on Old-Aged Savings was convened on 20 January 2010, prior to the 4th SOM.



The delegation of the Republic of Indonesia was led by the Director-General for Multilateral affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. H.E. Mr. Rezlan Ishar Jenie and the delegation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste were led by the National Director for External Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Mr. Isilio Coelho. The members of the delegations of both countries consisted of representatives from various relevant government ministries/agencies.


The meeting was conducted in the spirit of genuine friendship, openness and cooperation in line with the spirit of the CTF. The meeting discussed the implementation of programs agreed in the third SOM held in Dili, Timor-Leste on 17-18 July 2009. It further identified programs in the Plan of Action which will be implemented by the two countries.


The Meeting took note of the progress in resuming the payment of the old-aged savings for Timor-Leste citizens,, military and police. The Meeting endorsed the results of the technical meeting on the working group for old-age savings. The Meeting noted that PT. ASABRI had transferred the payment of Old-Aged Savings to the bank account nominated by the Timor-Leste Government. PT TASPEN (Persero) has prepared its first transfer following the signing of the outcome of the technical meeting during the 4th SOM. Yet in this context, BAPERTARUM indicated its readiness to return the Saving Scheme for Housing to approximately 9,428 former Timor-Timur civil servants. former Indonesian civil servants


The meeting noted with satisfaction the progress achieved on the application of the Temporary Stay Permit Card (KITAS) and the Visa on Arrival (VoA) for the Timorese Citizens. The Indonesian Government has issued a new regulation that included Timor-Leste’s passport holders in the list of countries which were granted Visa on Arrival. In addition to that the Indonesian Government also adopted a policy that will render Timor-Leste citizens with double transit visa for return travel between Oecussi and Dili. As of KITAS, the Indonesian Government confirmed that KITAS could be issued for 2 years depending on the recommendations by the Indonesian Ministry of National Education. It was therefore agreed that further technical arrangements should be carried out between the Ministries of Education of the two countries while the Indonesian Inter-governmental Agencies Task Force will conduct further coordination particularly with the Ministry of National Education.

The participants from various ministries/agencies of both countries also briefed the meeting on ongoing and future capacity-building programs, covering inter alia the areas of agriculture, fishery, forestry, public administration, health, women’s empowerment and child protection, security, archive, education, public work, trade, meteorology, customs, communication and information, and human rights.


The Indonesian delegation identified three programs to be implemented in short and long-term timeframes by the two countries. These were: the establishment of “zones of peace”, management of the Memorial Parks in Timor-Leste; and cooperation in the health sector. Initial steps were made to implement the long-term and inspirational recommendations of the CTF’s report. In this regard, the Meeting discussed the Indonesian proposal regarding the possibility to establish/refurbish a major hospital in Dili with one of its focuses being trauma healing programmers. In this regard, the Meeting agreed for government officials from technical agencies of both countries to further discuss this matter.


The Meeting noted Indonesia’s intention to conduct an initial discussion on the proposal of establishing “Zones of Peace” on the borders shared b the two countries. The Timor-Leste Delegation was prepared to discuss this issue and further asked the Indonesian Government to provide a detailed proposal on this initiative. Both Delegations also agreed to consider further the nomenclature of the “Zones of Peace” to better reflect the friendly relationships existing between the two countries.


The Meeting also discussed the issue of management of Indonesia’s Memorial Parks in Timor-Leste. The Meeting noted that management of the Parks is one of the common concerns of the two countries. In this regard, both countries stood ready to conduct further deliberation, including the issue of facilitating of family visits to the memorial parks.


The Meeting noted Indonesia’s intention to intensify cooperation in the health sector, with the possibility of establishing a MoU covering, among others: hospital referral system, communicable diseases, child and maternal health, pharmaceuticals, human resource development and hospital development. The Timor-Leste delegation welcomed this initiative and committed to further study the proposal.


The Meeting welcomed the plan of the Minister of Economy and Development of Timor-Leste to visit Indonesia at the end of January to increase technical cooperation, in particular in the fields of planning, small and medium enterprises, and environment.


The Meeting stressed the importance for both countries to pay attention to managing their borders for the benefit of the people in the border areas. They also shared concern that border issues, if not well-managed, could create problems for the people of the two countries.


The Meeting took note of Timor-Leste’s intention to increase cooperation in the field of security, including the possibility of having a joint training in a third country.


The Meeting also took note of Timor-Leste intention to increase cooperation in the field of defense with an initial discussion on formulating a Memorandum of Understanding. The Meeting welcomed the assignment of the first military attaché of Timor-Leste to Indonesia.


The Timor-Leste delegation raised the issue of disappeared persons and the Meeting remained cognizant of CTF recommendation on this matter.


The Meeting took note of the intention of the Timor-Leste government to start deliberation on the Center for Documentation and Conflict Resolution. The Meeting also noted that further informal discussion is needed to explore various aspects of establishing the Centre.


Both delegations reiterated their strong commitments to further implement the CTF recommendations and the Joint Statement of leaders of both countries.

Timor-Leste Delegation expressed its sincere gratitude for the excellent arrangements pertaining to the meeting, facilitation and hospitality afforded by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia.


Both countries agree to have the 5th SOM in the second half of 2010 in Dili.


Bali, 22 January 2010





Wednesday, 23 December 2009

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!

Thursday, 17 December 2009

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.


Wednesday, 16 December 2009

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 ThailandBangkok


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

Tuesday, 15 December 2009

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.