Indonesia Requests Portugal's Support for Timor ReconciliationIndonesia's Trade and Industry Minister Luhut Pangaribua requested Wednesday the Portuguese government to help enhance the reconciliation among different groups in East Timor.Pangaribua made the request after a meeting with Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio. Pangaribua said Indonesia supports East Timor's political transition to independence. Pangaribua is the first Indonesian minister who officially visit Portugal after both countries severed diplomatic relations in 1975, after the invasion of East Timor by the Indonesian army. East Timor gained independence from Indonesia in 1999 after a majority of Timorese voted for independence in a U.N.-run referendum in August that year. Indonesia annexed the former Portuguese colony in 1975 after the Portuguese troops pulled out of the territory. The Indonesian official also expressed Jakarta's willingness to strengthen political and economic ties with Portugal. Pangaribua, who arrived here Tuesday, headed an entrepreneurial delegation to participate in an international fair in Lisbon. |
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