Ambassador, Fadel Kamal, presented his letter of credence as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic to the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, to His Excellency Dr. Jose Ramos Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, in a ceremony organised on 14 April 2009 in Dili, the Capital of Timor Leste.
During the presentation of the letters of credentials ceremony which was attended by several Timorese officials and the national media, President Ramos Horta, reiterated his country’s strong and unwavering support to the Saharawi Republic in its quest to recover its full sovereignty.
He underlined that the Saharawi state and people will continue to benefit from the full support and solidarity of Timor Leste as a friend and ally until they recover all of their legitimate rights.
The Saharawi Ambassador Fadel Kamal made the following remarks during the ceremony:
Your Excellency,
I have the great honour to present the letter of credence which his Excellency Mohamed Abdelaziz, has addressed to his Excellency Dr. Jose Ramos Horta, accrediting me as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Saharawi Arab democratic republic to the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste.
I am very pleased to have been entrusted by my president with the assignment of representing my country in Timor Leste and it is indeed a great honour and privilege for me to be the first Saharawi Ambassador to Timor Leste.
Your Excellency,
I have the further honour of conveying to you, and through you, to the government and people of Timor Leste the warmest personal regards and best wishes from President Mohamed Abdelaziz and the Saharawi people for your personal good health, and for the continued prosperity of Timor Leste and her friendly people.
It is also my privilege to convey the heartfelt gratitude of president Mohamed Abdelaziz as well as of the Saharawi people to you, Mr. president, and to the people of Timor Leste for the support and solidarity that you personally and the people of Timor Leste have extended to the cause of the Saharawi people and their struggle for freedom and independence.
President Abdelaziz has also instructed me to transmit to you our firm desire and political will for further strengthening and expanding the already existing relations between our two countries which are based on strong historical ties of friendship and solidarity and shared values.
Your Excellency,
The Saharawi republic and the republic of Timor Leste are closely linked by historical and long-standing bonds of friendship, solidarity and cooperation. Our countries and peoples have been friends and allies throughout the period of our struggle for independence. These bonds of friendship have been strengthened since the independence of Timor Leste and the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two nations in 2002.
Your Excellency,
The Saharawi people are profoundly grateful for your friendship and steadfastness to our struggle for full independence.
I am confident that our two countries will pursue and deepen the already existing relations of friendship and solidarity. .
I shall spare no effort to further enhance and deepen the strong ties that link our two countries and peoples. Allow me to express the hope that I will continue to benefit from your kind support as well as that of your government.Following the ceremony of the presentation of credentials the Saharawi Ambassador had the opportunity to have a meeting with the President which was followed by a talk to the media by the President Ramos Horta who provided to media present a historical background on the Saharawi cause and its similarities with the struggle for independence in Timor Leste. Then the Saharawi Ambassador briefed the media on the current situation and took the opportunity to express thanks and gratitude of the Saharawi people to the Government and people of Timor Leste for their support.
During his stay in Dili, the Saharawi Ambassador had also the opportunity to meet with Mr. Mario Carrascalao Vice Prime Minister of Timor Leste. He also held other meeting with the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as with the President and members of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security Commission of the National Parliament of Timor Leste.
The ceremony of the presentation of credentials was well covered by the Timorese media including the national television, radio and newspapers.
