| Speech
of H.E. Prime Minister in the commemoration of the HM King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, in Hotel Timor, Dili, 3 December 2004
Dear Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand
Dear Special Representative of the Secretary General
Dear colleague's members of the Government
Ladies and gentlemen
I have the pleasure of joining you in this ceremony to commemorate
the seventy seventh anniversary of His Majesty, Bhumibol Adulyade,
King of Thailand who is highly respected by his People.
Today is a day of happiness and celebrations for Thailand and
its People.
This gathering reflects the good relationship between our two
countries, Timor-Leste and Thailand which we have been strengthening
during these years. The cooperation between the two countries
has been developing through many initiatives in different areas,
such as agriculture, fisheries and many others.
The cooperation at the United Nations level has been carried out
through the Peace Keeping Force and United Nations Police. There
was a military contingent detached in the border and one of the
commanders of the Peace Keeping Force was from Thailand.
Thailand has contributed for the consolidation of the peace in
Timor-Leste during the emergency and transition periods.
The official visit that I paid to Thailand last year has had positive
results. It has permitted the establishment of a deep and close
relationship between our two countries. Two months ago I met,
again, the Prime Minister Taksin Shinawatra in a private visit
to Bangkok and I understood that there is willingness to develop
the cooperation.
I was informed that in the beginning of the next year a big group
of Thai businessmen will come to visit Timor-Leste to see and
know the potentialities of this country and to look for opportunities
of investment in Timor-Leste. I hope that the visit will provide
good contacts and opportunities to the Thai and Timorese businessmen.
Timor-Leste is opened for foreigner investors, who are welcome.
We are preparing the investment legal framework which will give
guarantees, incentives and safety for the investors. Tourists
from any country of the world, including Thailand, are also welcome.
Tourism will be very important for our economy. It is an area
that we can learn a lot from Thailand. There are many areas of
cooperation that need to be identified and developed.
I would like to take this opportunity to guarantee to the Thai
community resident in Timor-Leste that it is safe to live here
in this new country and that my Government will make efforts in
order that we all can live peacefully to develop together this
country. Thai People has a very rich culture and history which
attracts many foreigners to make tourism to Thailand. Timor-Leste
can learn many things from Thailand through cultural exchange.
We want Timor-Leste to be a place not only for business but also
a place where different cultures and religions can live together
in peace, harmony and in solidarity with each other.
These are, in brief, my words and I wish to the People of Thailand
happiness. Before finishing I would also like to thank the Ambassador
of Thailand for Timor-Leste, Mr. Kulkumut Singhara Na Ayudhaya
for having invited me to participate in this ceremony.
I wish to the Majesty King Bhumidol Adulyade, the longest reigning
monarch in the World, good health and happiness.
Congratulations to the Thai People.
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