Jose Ramos-Horta sworn in as East Timor’s president, pledges stronger ties with China
- East Timor celebrates 20th anniversary of independence with new president
- Jose Ramos-Horta spoke of expanding bilateral relations with China, joining Asean
Nobel laureate Jose Ramos-Horta was inaugurated as East Timor’s president on Friday, pledging to dedicate his time in office to strengthen national unity and forge closer relations with China.
The former Portuguese colony, which became independent from Indonesia in 2002 after 24 years of occupation, marked its 20th independence anniversary with a concert and fireworks for thousands in the capital Dili.
The 72-year-old revolutionary hero, himself a former president of East Timor, defeated incumbent Francisco “Lu-Olo” Guterres in the April 19 run-off vote, securing 62 per cent against the former guerilla fighter’s 37 per cent.
In a wide-ranging speech at parliament delivered in four languages in the early hours of Friday, Ramos-Horta called for national unity between rival parties that have had a tumultuous relationship in recent years.
“I will fulfil with loyalty the functions that have been invested in me … and will dedicate all my energies and knowledge to the defence and consolidation of independence and national unity,” the bespectacled leader said.
“Peace will only be real and lasting when it is achieved through dialogue and mutual respect in which neither party feels coerced and humiliated,” he added, addressing a crowd of military and diplomatic personnel.
