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

Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste

 Dili, October 10th, 2016

Visit of Minister Gusmão to Japan strengthens relationship

The Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment and Chief Negotiator for Maritime Boundaries, H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão has visited Japan in recent days to meet high-level officials, business leaders and academics. His busy program in Tokyo included a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the conferral of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the Waseda University.

Minister Gusmão, in a commemorative lecture delivered at the University spoke of the enduring relationship between Japan and Timor-Leste recalling that Timor-Leste’s very first Meeting with Development Partners, held in Tokyo in 1999, was “an indication of the important role that Japan would be playing in building our nation.”

He spoke of Japan’s impressive post –war reconstruction as “an inspiration to the world” and highlighted Japan’s industrial and technological development trade policies, investment in quality education and cultural features, as having enabled the country to become an important world power, after being “born out of the ashes and the trauma of war.”

The Honorary Doctorate was presented by the President of Waseda University, Professor Kaoru Kamata, who said during the ceremony that Minister Gusmão was being awarded in recognition of his “indomitable spirit and total dedication” in leading Timor-Leste to independence and his “outstanding powers of leadership” in encouraging reconciliation.

During his short visit to Japan the Minister was able to update senior Government officials on Timor-Leste’s recent progress, meet with development partners, and discuss the country’s attractive investment environment with members of the Japanese business sector.

Government Spokesperson, Minister of State Agio Pereira noted that “Japan has been a consistent friend of Timor-Leste and this recent visit further strengthens our strong relationship built over many years. The conferral of the Honorary Doctorate reflects the respect the Japanese people have for H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and the mutual respect that characterizes the relationship between our two countries.”ENDS