Piebalgs visits Timor-Leste

EU Commissioner of Development Mr. A. Piebalgs represented the European Commission at the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the restoration of the Independence and swearing-in ceremony of the new elected President of Timor-Leste H.E. Taur Matan Ruak , following the invitation send by the former President of the country Jose Ramos Horta to President Barroso.
Visiting the country for the second time, Mr. Piebalgs met officially with Taur Matan Ruak, as well as Ramos Horta and Xanana Gusmao, Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister. The Presidents of Indonesia, Portugal, Tuvalu and Governor Generals from New Zealand and Australia were also present at the ceremonies, as well as other dignitaries and representatives of 10 Members States, five of them from the ambassadorial level.
Timor-Leste is a relatively new member of the ACP Group, though has enjoyed a special relationship with Portugal due to their shared history. The EU and Member States thereof, have contributed half of total assistance to Timor-Leste since 1999.

Source: Delegation of the EU in Timor-Leste