SECRETARY-GENERAL EXTENDS WARM CONGRATULATIONS TO NEW TIMOR-LESTE PRESIDENT

 

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s statement on the inauguration of the President of Timor-Leste, issued 20 May:

I extend my warmest congratulations to José Ramos-Horta on the occasion of his inauguration as President of Timor-Leste.

Dr. Ramos-Horta’s relationship with the United Nations is already solid and long-standing, and I look forward to working with him over the coming years.

Like the people of Timor-Leste, the United Nations looks to Dr. Ramos-Horta to lead the country in confronting the challenges ahead, from security reform and justice to development and governance.

My sincere congratulations also go to the people of Timor-Leste, who have so actively and peacefully embraced the democratic process in elections over the past six weeks.  I urge all political actors to sustain this democratic spirit and respect the free will of the people in the coming legislative elections.

The United Nations remains committed to supporting Timor-Leste as it strives to develop a stable and sustainable democracy in the years ahead.

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For information media • not an official record