Statement by the Spokesperson of the IV Constitutional Government on May 18, 2010
The Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Díli, May 18, 2010
Timor-Leste’s new ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Abel Guterres begins his new role
Ambassador Abel Guterres, Timor-Leste’s new Ambassador to Australia, presented his credentials today to Her Excellency, Ms. Quentin Bryce AC in the nation’s capital, Canberra.
Ambassador Guterres said “I am very honored to represent my country, Timor-Leste, and humbled to serve my people in strengthening the ties of friendship between Australia and Timor-Leste.”
Guterres has a long history with Australia, having first arrived as a refugee from Timor-Leste in 1975. Between 1975 and 1999, Guterres worked tirelessly as an activist for the East Timorese Resistance which left a lasting footprint.
The President of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Jose Ramos Horta, said during the swearing in ceremony for Ambassador Guterres in Timor-Leste that during the years of the struggle Guterres “found energy and time to devote countless hours every day to inform, educate and mobilize Australian public opinion about the struggle in Timor-Leste.’
‘Abel Guterres not only carried out the mission with complete devotion but he did so always with a smile, respect and friendship towards everyone, avoiding political partisanship, and working with all without regard to their political affiliation.”
President Horta credited Ambassador Abel Guterres for laying the foundations for the successful friendship cities and friendship school partnership programs; established to encourage communities and schools in Australia to adopt a district, sub- district and schools in Timor-Leste.
In 1999, Ambassador Abel Guterres attended the Oxford Diplomatic Service course in the U.K. and earned the prestigious diploma with distinction. Guterres served as the Consul General of Timor-Leste in Sydney between 2003 and 2009.
Secretary of State Ágio Pereira said “Australia is one of Timor-Leste’s closest neighbors; and there is a deep bond between the peoples of our two nations. Ambassador Guterres will represent Timor-Leste with great honor and dignity and we are very pleased that he will continue to represent Timor-Leste, and the Timorese people in Australia.”
