Malacca looking at ways to develop bilateral ties with Timor Leste

www.thestar.com.my, 24 January 2009

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/1/24/southneast/3074178&sec=southneast

The state will look at ways to forge closer-ties with the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste following the two-day official visit of its president Dr Jose Ramos-Horta here.

Chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said one of the ways being looked at was affiliating Timor Lestes national youth body with the World Assembly of Youth (WAY) secretariat based in Malacca.

“Timor Leste’s national youth council can be affiliated with WAY. This will allow us to invite their youth representatives to participate in WAYs annual convention,” he said after attending a briefing with the president at the Putra Specialists Hospital here on Tuesday.


NICE TO MEET YOU: Jose Ramos- Horta meeting up with THE Timur Leste youths.Looking on is Mohd Ali Rustam (left) .

He also said that the state would look at ways to help the island republic develop its tourism and agriculture industries including offering medical services treatment of chronic diseases.

“I urge private companies here to also consider venturing there as its is a new country that possess economic potential,” he added.

Earlier, Jose Ramos attended a briefing held at Kompleks Seri Negeri before visiting several sites of interest in the city.

The president was especially keen on visiting Portuguese Settlement in Ujong Pasir as Timor Leste was once a former Portuguese colony that traces its history to 16th Century Malacca.

He also met up with 16 Timor Leste youths, ages between 12 and 18, who have been undergoing medical treatment at the state owned hospital here since 2007.