In the congratulatory message sent this Wednesday to the President of Timor-Leste, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo, marking the 18th anniversary of the restoration of that country's independence, the Angolan head of state recalled the connection between the two countries “for a common history of struggle against foreign domination ”.
“We know, therefore, the value of freedom, on the basis of which I express the desire to make common efforts towards deepening the bonds of friendship, solidarity and cooperation, existing between our two countries and governments”, stressed João Lourenço.
The President also paid “a tribute to the Timorese people, who fought valiantly for the achievement of their dignity and sovereignty”.
"[They are] unavoidable factors in the process of building the foundations on which Timor-Leste's progress and development rest," adds the note.
Attached by Indonesia in 1975, the former Portuguese colony fought against Jakarta until 1999, when in a referendum the overwhelming majority of the population chose independence over the autonomy proposed by the Indonesian government.
In retaliation, pro-Indonesian armed militias destroyed almost all buildings in the territory and sowed terror, leading to the intervention of an international force (INTERFET), led by Australia.
Timor-Leste was administered by a representative of the UN Secretary-General, Sérgio Vieira de Mello, until May 20, 2002, the day on which local elected officials took over, formally constituting the youngest country in the world.
