Prime Minister Dr. José Ramos-Horta has welcomed the European Commision's strong support for the people of Timor-Leste and for his new Government.
"I'm personally touched by the expressions of support and solidarity from my old personal friend and a good and old friend of Timor-Leste, Dr. José Manuel Durão Barroso, as well as from Commissioner Louis Michel," Prime Minister Ramos-Horta said.
"As an example of the Commission's unswerving support, just recently President Barroso promptly sent a Special Envoy to Timor-Leste, Ambassador Miguel Amado, and is going to elevate the level of the European Commission representation in Timor-Leste to that of Embassy.
"As well the European Commission also recently committed an additional 3 million euros (about 4 million U.S. dollars) in humanitarian aid to the 140,000 displaced people of the Timor-Leste.
"This was in addition to the recently signed framework program worth 18 million euros to cover the period 2006 and 2007. They have been extremely generous," Dr Ramos-Horta said.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 12, the European Commission welcomed the inauguration of Ramos-Horta as the new prime minister of Timor-Leste.
It said that the appointment "provides hope for a solution to the recent crisis" in Timor-Leste and "will support the new government in its efforts to overcome the current crisis."
The Commission's statement further said that it will "remain supportive of a multilateral framework" for continuing the presence of international deployment in the country, "subject to agreement by the UN Security Council."
According to the statement, the European Commission will work closely with the government to help address the most pressing needs, including the immediate challenges of stabilising the nation.
"I'm very thankful to the European Commission for the continuing confidence they have in me personally and in the future of Timor-Leste," Prime Minister Ramos-Horta said. -ENDS.
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