Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace, Dili, 16 July 2019
The President of the Republic Francisco Guterres Lú Olo received today the letters of credence from the new ambassador of Finland Jari Sinkari, the new ambassador of the United Kingdom Owen John Jenkins and the new ambassador of Poland Beata Stoczynski, who wish to strengthen the relations of cooperation and friendship between their countries and Timor-Leste.
The United Kingdom and Timor-Leste signed cooperation agreements in the areas of English language development for Timorese diplomats, including the award of Chevening scholarships and organisation of field trips. The United Kingdom has been assisting the country with the National Development Plan and since 1999 has been playing a key role throughout Timor-Leste’s reconstruction process by providing funding to the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation and several Veterans Commissions as well as by sending legal advisors to assist the F-FDTL.
On this occasion, ambassadors Owen John and Jari Sinkari pointed out the importance of education for the development and prosperity of a country. Jari Sinkari also said that climate change talks are at the top of the agenda for Finland as it takes over the presidency of the European Council for the next six months.
The Polish ambassador Beata Stoczynski also expressed her commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation which will include providing training to Timorese diplomats and awarding scholarships, among other projects. Beata Stoczynski pointed out that the two countries share the same Christian values and said that she was very pleased to see the statue of Pope John Paul II in Dili in memory of his visit in 1989.
The President of the Republic Francisco Guterres Lú Olo took the opportunity to express his appreciation for the determination shown by these countries to strengthen the relations of cooperation established in 2002.
At the courtesy call with the ambassadors of Finland and the United Kingdom, the Head of State pointed out that people should be put at the centre of development.
In the meeting with the ambassador of Poland, the President of the Republic said that the visit of Pope John Paul II was a turning point for the fight for national liberation, because it changed the international perception about the Timorese cause.
PR MEDIA