Patrol Vessels were delivered and baptized
The Minister of Finance, Emília Pires and the Vice-Presidente of the National Parliament, Maria da Paixão , are the “godmothers” of the two F-FDTL Navy Component patrol vessels. The baptism took place on the 11th of June, at the Díli Port.
Before the blessing and the baptism, performed by the F-FDTL chaplain priest, the formal delivery by the company Politechnology of China, to the Secretary of State of Security, Júlio Tomás Pinto, took place with the traditional exchange of presents.
After the baptism ceremony, the two patrol vessels were delivered to the F-FDTL naval component.
Present at the ceremony, the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, stated that “Another golden page is written in the recent History of our Homeland. The delivery of the two Jaco Class patrol vessels, bought by us from the People’s Republic of China, represents the Timorese iron will in preserving National Sovereignty and the Nation’s resources, a result of the sacrifice of some many Timorese that gave their lives defending the ideal they have always believed in.
A State’s Independence also means the possession of the necessary means that allow the ensurance of territorial integrity and the normal function of the institutions, and naturally means, the capacity in defending the wealth resources of its People.” (See the entire speech, click here)
The President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, in his speech, underlined the importance of this acquisition for the national interest, in a way that the existence of these kinds of conditions allows the fulfilment of the Constitution’s directives, guarantee of national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. “Independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, not only of the continent, but also the territorial waters in the exclusive economic area” stated the Head of State.
Before the end of the event, the Timor-Leste, Indonesia and Australia patrol vessels paraded in front of the President of the Republic, that was in the Berlim Nakroma ship.
Also participating in the event were the President of the National Parliament, Fernando Lasama de Araújo, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Ameeraq Haq, diplomatic members, Indonesian and Australian Navy representatives, members of the government, members of the National Parliament and the community.
