Speech of Angolan Head of State, under Timorese Presidents visit to Angola

Luanda - Speech delivered by His Excellency President of the Republic of Angola, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, in the ambit of the four-day state visit of His Excellency, President of the Democratic Republic of East Timor, Jose Ramos Horta.

Luanda on 27 June 27 in 2011

HIS EXCELLENCY JOSE RAMOS HORTA,

PRESIDENT OF DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF

EAST TIMOR

DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE ANGOLAN AND TIMORESE DELEGATIONS

DEAR GUESTS,

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

It is with a great pleasure that we receive you in our country, in the framework of your first state visit to the Republic of Angola as the President of the sister Republic of East Timor.

Despite the geographical distance that splits our two countries, both nations are linked by  indestructible historical ties of fraternity, friendship and solidarity based on the defence of the most important cause of our peoples in the conquest of freedom and national independence.

Like in the past, today we are still united in the same hopes and goals, aiming for building strong and sovereign nations, where our citizens may recognise the performances of their most  legitimate aspirations and interests.

It is therefore a great honour and pleasure I receive from your hands the Grand Collar Award of  East Timor's Order, which is the highest distinction of this Asian country.

This distinction covers the whole Angolan people, who always stood by the people of East Timor  in their fair struggle against foreign occupation.

The important personal played by Your Excellency in the liberation process enabled you to deserve the distinction of the Nobel Peace Prize, an expression of the international recognition worthy for greater appreciation.

Angola and East Timor are in a similar stage of their history. Both countries experienced protracted processes of armed conflict and they are committed to enormous task of national  reconstruction and development.

We are very happy with the achievements of East Timor and the favourable perspectives being  presented to the Timorese people in short term in all areas of its economic and social matters.

So, there are various sectors that our co-operation may be strengthened and I wish that this visit  of Your Excellency may be a decisive step for the reinforcement and renewal of our co-operation ties and mutual aid aiming for progress and well-being of the respective peoples.

As the President of the Portuguese Speaking Countries Community (CPLP), I must say that only  with the membership of East Timor in this organisation, our community gained its true dimension, strengthening its founding reason at the concert of nations.

Today, the consolidated feelings in the past are one of the greatest pillars of a win-win cooperation  among all member countries of CPLP, which opens new perspectives for economic growth, cultural exchange and development in general.

I reiterate my thanks for the great honour that I was conferred and I wish that everyone toast with me for the health and long life of His Excellency President Ramos Horta.

Source: ETAN