Adib Noor
“We acknowledge and warmly welcome the ASEAN Leaders Statement made at its 40th and 41st Summits in Phnom Penh on November 11, admitting in principle Timor-Leste as ASEAN’s 11th member. Your collective agreement to accept Timor-Leste into ASEAN, in principle was met with much joy by both our government and our people,” said Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Brunei Darussalam Abel Guterres.
He said this during a ceremony to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence and the 20th anniversary on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Timor-Leste and Brunei at the Mulia Hotel in Anggerek Desa on Monday.
The ambassador said diplomatic relations between Timor-Leste and Brunei date back 20 years with the signing between then-foreign minister of Brunei His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and then-foreign minister of Timor-Leste Dr Jose Ramos-Horta.
Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha attended as the guest of honour, accompanied by his spouse.
The night began with the singing of national anthems of the two countries and a Timor-Leste traditional dance performance. The night ended with a cake-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.
