Portugal fully appreciates Thailand's presence in East Timor, visiting Portuguese President Jorge Fernando Branco de Sampaio said in Bangkok Monday.

"Thailand's help is invaluable ... The presence of Thai soldiers and officers in East Timor has been fantastic and useful," he said.

The presence consolidated the credibility of Thailand in the United Nations operation and will become part of the East Timorese history and the history of U.N. peacekeeping operation, he said.

He also said that Portugal is looking forward to more involvement in Asia and developing closer relations with Asian countries including Indonesia.

Sampaio arrived here Monday morning directly from Macao, where he attended the handover ceremony on Sunday.

Earlier Monday, Sampaio held talks with Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai on bilateral relations and relations between the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Portugal and Thailand are members respectively.

Sampaio is expected to leave for East Timor Tuesday after the two-day working visit.