Welcome to the page of the State Visit to East Timor

Portugal and East Timor are linked by strong historical and cultural bonds, as shown by the excellent cooperation achieved in several areas.

One of the most significant sectors in bilateral cooperation has been that of Defence and Security. In Dili, on the day of Restoration of Independence, the two Republics subscribed a historic agreement of techno-military cooperation, complemented in 2011 by concluding, in Lisbon, of a techno-police force cooperation agreement.

Thus Portugal has been, since 1999, one of the main contributors to the United Nations missions, whether with units of its Armed Forces, or with units of its Security Forces: National Republican Guard (GNR), Public Security Police and Foreign Border Services.

In 2012, in the Security area only, Portugal has deployed, in East Timor, at the service of UNPOL, Chief Superintendent Luís Carrilho, whose exemplary performance in the respective command I take this opportunity to praise, 144 soldiers of the National Republican Guard, 46 members of the Public Security Police, an Inspector from the Foreign Border Services and three members of the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM).

The qualities and capacity of the Portuguese police units have stood out in such a way that, as a choice of the Timorese government, taken in 2008, it was considered that Portugal, through its National Republican Guard, was the country that met the best conditions to aid in the selection and training of the new members of the East Timor National Police.

It was thus our duty to prepare the plan for the recruitment, selection and training of 1250 recruits, in a five year period, and to act as consultants to achieve the planned objectives.

I am thus justifiably proud of the work carried out by all those who belonged in the Portuguese police units present here throughout 13 years.

It is particularly gratifying to be able to associate myself, on this Visit, to the ceremony publicly recognizing the much that has been achieved by the National Republican Guard, not only by the attribution of the East Timor Solidarity Medal as well as the UNMIT medal to the 139 members of the current force of the UNPOL Portuguese Police Training Unit.

I greet and congratulate you all.

I equally extend my congratulations to the remaining 42 members of the Public Security Police, of the National Republican Guard and of the Foreign Border Service that currently comprise UNPOL, all of whom already distinguished with the same decorations.

In a note of grief, I feel I must make reference to the memories of Master Sergeant Hermenegildo Marques and Sub-Lieutenant Daniel Simões, who died in the service of the United Nations. I also want them remembered here, on this day, and tribute paid to their work.

Mister President of the Republic,

The Timorese people can continue counting on Portugal’s unreserved and loyal contribution in order to, within our possibilities, consolidate the institutions that guarantee the public order of East Timor People’s Republic and to strengthen the bonds between the Security Forces of both countries.

Thank you very much.