Timor Leste seeks continued assistance from Malaysia: FM

October 3, 2003 7:06am

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3, 2003 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Timor Leste has expressed hope that Malaysia will continue to assist the country in its development efforts, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said on Friday.

This was conveyed by President Xanana Gusmao in his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi here, the minister said in a press briefing.

He said that Gusmao, who is on a private visit to Malaysia, has taken the opportunity to call on Abdullah to discuss bilateral issues and matters of common interest including the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Gusmao also expressed his appreciation to Malaysia for extending support to Timor Leste and hoped for continued and enhanced collaboration, he said.

Syed Hamid said that Malaysia is very happy with its relationship with Timor Leste and will help in any way it can to provide assistance for its capacity-building initiative.

Prime Minister Mahathir is scheduled to pay a three-day official visit to Timor Leste starting from Oct. 22, during which some memorandums of cooperation will be signed.

Malaysia sent 125 police officers and men to Timor Leste in August this year for a one-year United Nations (UN) peace-keeping mission in that country.

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