Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and

Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste

 Díli, October 8th, 2015

Prime Minister and delegation returning from Cuba after successful Official Visit

Today the Prime Minister and his delegation have concluded a successful Official Visit to Cuba and are on their return trip to Timor-Leste. The visit to Cuba began on the 2nd of October directly after the Prime Minister’s participation in the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit and the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The delegation for the Official Visit to Cuba included Minister of State, Coordinator of Social Affairs and Minister of Education, António da Conceição, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Hernâni Coelho, Minister of Health H.E. Maria do Céu Saramento Pina da Costa and the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Cuba, Olimpio Branco.

On arrival Prime Minister Araújo conveyed the greetings of the President of Timor-Leste and noted the strong relationship that has existed between Timor-Leste and Cuba since the diplomatic relations were established on the day of Timor-Leste’s restoration of independence, 20 May 2002. Cuba has been a major supporter of Timor-Leste’s development particularly in the areas of health, education and sport.

The agenda of the delegation has included visits to the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, the University of Science for Physical Culture and Sport and the Museum of National Hero José Martí. Secondary Schools, Agricultural Centers and Medical Facilities were also a focus of the delegation to fulfill a goal of the visit announced by Prime Minister Araújo on arrival when he said “We come to Cuba to learn, to develop.”

The Prime Minister and delegation have met with the Cuban leadership including President of the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba, Raul Castro, and President of the National Assembly of People’s Power, Esteban Lazo Hernández.

The Prime Minister and delegation were pleased to meet with Cuban trainers and doctors who had served in Timor-Leste as well as Timorese who are currently undertaking their medical training in Cuba.

Spokesperson for the Government, Minister of State Agio Pereira noted “this official visit to Cuba has strengthened the already close friendship between our nations. It has provided an opportunity to meet face-to-face with the leadership, to discuss our ongoing partnership and to learn about Cuban programs and initiatives that may assist our own development. The Government joins the Prime Minister and delegation in expressing our gratitude for the consistent and resolute support of our Cuban brothers and sisters throughout the years of our struggle for liberation and now in the years of our struggle for sustainable development.”