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Taur Matan Ruak: Timor-Leste maintains close relations with Cuba

Timor-Leste Government Press Release - September 27, 2013

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Havana – In a bilateral meeting with his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro, last Friday in Havana (or Saturday morning in Timor-Leste), H.E. the President of the Republic Taur Matan Ruak assured that Timor-Leste will continue to work towards deepening the relations with Cuba, since Cuba has already expressed its commitment to support Timor-Leste by hosting Timorese medical students and sending Cuban doctors to Timor-Leste.

The Timorese Head of State took the occasion to thank Cuba for the support and assistance given to Timor-Leste, especially as far as the health and education sectors are concerned, and also to praise Cuba for its effort to develop the country despite the embargo which has lasted for many decades now.

In the meeting, the Head of State talked about Timor-Leste's progress in terms of security and political and economic stability. The Head of State also discussed, among other topics, the strategic development plan, the project of establishing an Exclusive Economic Zone in Oecussi under the responsibility of the opposition leader, and also Timor-Leste's ambition to join regional and international forums.

President Raul Castro thanked his Timorese counterpart, H.E. Taur Matan Ruak, for the solidarity expressed towards the situation in Cuba in his recent speech to the UN General Assembly and on many other occasions, and assured total commitment to continue to support Timor-Leste and deepen the relations between both countries.

President Raul Castro also reviewed his country's progress towards development since the Cuban Revolution in 1959.

To conclude the bilateral meeting, the Timorese Head of State invited his counterpart Raul Castro to conduct a visit to Timor-Leste with a view to strengthening the ties of friendship between both countries.

The meeting took place at the Palace of Revolution, where President Taur Matan Ruak was welcomed with military honours and the interpretation of the national anthem of both countries.

In the afternoon, the Head of State and his delegation were the guests of honour at a dinner hosted by the Vice-President of the Council of State, Salvador Valdes Mesa.

Meeting with scholarship-holders

On the following day, on 28 September, the Head of State met with Timorese students at the Embassy of Timor-Leste. The meeting was organized by the ambassador of Timor-Leste to Cuba, Olimpio Branco. In the meeting, the Head of State encouraged the students to stay focused on their studies and to make use of this opportunity, so that as soon as they return to their country they can contribute to national development. The President praised the students for their efforts and dedication in keeping up their good results.

There are currently 36 Timorese students in Cuba in the areas of health, sports and culture.

During his official visit to Cuba, the Head of State visited some historical sites, such as the Old Havana which preserves Spanish colonial architecture. As a major tourist site, Havana is today a source of revenue for the country. The Head of State also visited a memorial to a Cuban martyr for a tribute with the laying of flowers.

The visit to Cuba marks the closing of the official visit programme of H.E. President Taur Matan Ruak. The Head of State and his delegation are expected to arrive in Timor-Leste this Thursday, 3 October.