The Secretary of State for Media, Nélio Isaac Sarmento, went on an official visit to Portugal, from September 23rd to September 27th, aiming to strengthen bilateral cooperation between both countries, also taking the opportunity to promote the contact of Timorese journalists with Portuguese language and culture and reinforce the knowledge of Portuguese language, which unites the eight members of CPSC.
Nélio Isaac Sarmento, at a meeting with the Deputy Secretary of State of the Deputy Minister and of Regional Development, Pedro Lomba, reaffirmed the positive balance on cooperation between both countries, having his counterpart underlined Portugal’s will to reinforce cooperation bonds with Timor-Leste.
During the visit, the Secretary of State also met with representatives of Camões – Institute of Cooperation and Language, where it was stressed the will of Timor-Leste and Portugal, to continue cooperation in the area of media.
Nélio Isaac Sarmento was also received by the Media Cabinet, which coordinates the European Union’s Media Support Program (Portugal’s delegated cooperation), and Lusa Agency. The Portuguese Radio and Television (RTP), SIC, the first Portuguese private broadcasting service, the Journalists’ Union, amongst others, were also part of the Secretary of State’s visit.
On the Secretary of State for Media’s entourage were seven Timorese journalists: Tito Filipe, Chairman of the Timor-Leste’s Journalists Association; José António Belo, Chairman of Timor-Leste Press Club; Susana Cardoso, Chairman at TILPA; Prezado Ximenes, Chairman at ARKTL; Francisco da Silva, Director of NGO TLMDC and Mouzinho Lopes de Araújo, Director of Jornal Independente, aiming to closely get acquaintance of Portugal’s Media operators and their regulation mechanisms.