On 21 April, 2022, in a landslide election, Dr. José Ramos-Horta was elected President of Timor-Leste for a second term. He had previous served as Foreign Minister and Senior Cabinet Minister (2000 – 2006), Prime Minister (2007 – 2008), and President (2008-2012). Dr. Ramos-Horta was inaugurated and assumed office on 20 May, 2022, the 20th anniversary of Timor-Leste’s restoration of independence.
East Timor hopes to join ASEAN when Indonesia chairs in 2023
BOGOR, Indonesia (AP) — East Timor’s President Jose Ramos-Horta in a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart on Tuesday said he hoped Asia’s youngest country could join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year. In a joint news conference with Indonesian...
President Attends St. Anthony’s celebrations in Manatuto.
President Ramos-Horta attending the annual Saint Anthony's religious and cultural activities in Manatuto town. The activities last the whole month of June with daily fun activities like fairs, games, sports, etc. 13th June is the main religious event with a Catholic...
Speech: Comment on “Major Choices” Plan and Rectified Budget for 2023
MAJOR CHOICES PLAN PROMULGATION STATEMENT Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace, Dili, 13 June 2022Today I have promulgated the law on the Major Choices Plan for 2023. This law is an indicative plan for the priorities of the current government and its respective budget...
Political situation in Myanmar and the effects on Bayingyi villages
The following Report was received by President Ramos-Horta on 4 June, 2022: Since the military coup of February 1, 2021 in Myanmar, .thousands of civilians have been killed and detained by the military; at least 12,417 civilian houses have been burned, at 296...
Sky News: President Rules Out Security Pact With China
In recent meetings, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and President Ramos-Horta discussed and signed agreements on issues including health care, infrastructure, and economic co-operation. President Ramos-Horta ruled out a security agreement with China, saying "We do...
Unlocking Leaders Podcast Series: José Ramos-Horta: We’ve Been a Loyal Neighbor of Indonesia, ASEAN
Unlocking Podcast 06 | We’ve Been a Loyal Neighbor of Indonesia, ASEAN | Timor Leste’s President HE DR José Ramos-Horta.
President Meets with United States Representatives
Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Timor-Leste Thomas Daley was joined by USAID Mission Director in Timor-Leste Zema Samunegus, in a meeting with President Ramos-Horta at the Presidential Palace Nicolau Lobato, June 3, 2022. The US representatives affirmed the...
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Meets with President Ramos-Horta
President José Ramos-Horta meets with Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Wang Yi to discuss Timor-Leste - China bilateral relations. China Is one of Timor-Leste's main development partners, while Australia remains an outsize bilateral aid...
AlJazeera: East Timor’s president to focus on economy, political stability
José Ramos-Horta, who came out of retirement to run for the presidency, explains why he is focusing on the economy and why China is important ‘but not more important’. By Allegra Mendelson Published On 24 May 202224 May 2022 Dili, East Timor – José...
The Age: ‘In their strategic interest’: Ramos-Horta calls on Australia to spend big in East Timor
Singapore: New East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta wants Australia to back a major infrastructure drive in south-east Asia’s newest nation, saying it’s in the new government’s strategic interest to retain a “pro-Australia, pro-Western values” near neighbour. In...
Congratulatory Letters from Around the World
President Ramos-Horta received letters from leaders from around the world prior to his inauguration, congratulating him on assuming the Presidency, and congratulating Timor-Leste on the twentieth anniversary of the restoration of independence. To view the...
UN Secretary General Extends Warm Congratulations to New Timor-Leste President
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, congratulated the Timorese people on the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Restoration of Independence Day and the Inauguration of the new President Jose Ramos Horta. Guterres delivered his messages of...
Reuters: East Timor’s new president pledges stronger ties with China
DILI, May 20 (Reuters) - East Timorese independence figure and Nobel laureate Jose Ramos-Horta was inaugurated as the country's fifth president on Friday, pledging to dedicate his time in office to strengthen national unity and forge closer relations with China....
May 20: President Ramos-Horta Address to Parliament
On May 20, 2022, newly elected President José Ramos-Horta addressed the Parliament of Timor-Leste. The President addressed the challenges of building a pluralistic democracy after decades of violence under the occupation. The Constitution, he says, lays the foundation for the evolving State, and for peace in the nation.
Ramos-Horta Inaugural Speech: English Text
Excelências, Presidente do Parlamento Nacional; Primeiro-Ministro; Presidente do Tribunal de Recurso; Procurador Geral da República; Excelências, Presidente de Portugal, Prof. Dr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa; Governador-Geral da Austrália, David Hurley; Primeiro-Ministro...
Dozens of Countries to be Represented in Timor-Leste Celebrations
Delegations from dozens of countries, at the level of heads of state, government officials or official representatives, are visiting East Timor for the inauguration of the elected president, José Ramos-Horta, and the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the...
President Biden Announces Presidential Delegation to Inauguration
President Biden Announces Presidential Delegation to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to Attend the Inauguration of His Excellency José Ramos-Horta and to Attend Ceremonies Commemorating the Twentieth Anniversary of the Restoration of Independence MAY...
Xi congratulates Jose Ramos-Horta on election as Timor-Leste’s president
BEIJING, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a congratulatory message to Jose Ramos-Horta on his election as Timor-Leste's president. In his message, Xi pointed out that over the past 20 years since China and Timor-Leste established...
US President Biden Congratulates Ramos-Horta
UN President Biden congratulated Dr. José Ramos-Horta today on his election as President. "I have long been inspired," he said, "by the Timorese people and their commitment to democracy and human rights." "The United States is proud to consider TImor-Leste a...
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa congratulates Ramos-Horta
Upon learning of the election results, the President of the Republic spoke this morning on the phone with José Ramos Horta, to whom he conveyed, on behalf of the Portuguese People and on his own, the warmest congratulations on the election as President of the Republic...
Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee and Nobel Summit
Good morning from Rome from Livia and Leymah Gbowee! We just heard the news!!! Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee (Liberia) and Livia Malcanjo of the Permanent Secretariat of Nobel Laureates