The Secretary of State of Arts and Culture (SSAC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute of Research for Development (IRD), of France, in order to establish a good relationship in the area of tourism and to further research objects of cultural heritage in the Timorese districts of Lautém, CovaLima other places with tourism potential.

The Memorandum was signed by the Secretary of State of Arts and Culture, Maria Isabel de Jesus Ximenes, and by the representative of the Institute of Research for Development, Michael Laurent, on July 9, in the building of the Ministry of Tourism, in Dili.

The agreement aims to ensure a joint collaboration between the Ministry of Arts and Culture and the French Government, through a scientific study in the archaeological area: “This cooperation will run for four years and can be extended if there is progress in its implementation. A team of experts will come from France and includes Timorese with extensive experience in this area”, said the Secretary of State.

Michael Laurent, informed that the institution he represents “will give full technical support by sending to Timor-Leste French experts specialized in this area, to work in partnership with the Timorese archaeologists from the Secretary of State of Arts and Culture.”

“This cooperation is also important to be able to identify objects of Timorese cultural heritage still under the ground”, added Michael Laurent.