Timor Leste opens consulate in Bali

JAKARTA, Sept 29, 2006 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Timor Leste's Deputy Foreign Minister Adaljiza Magno Friday evening inaugurated the country's consulate office in Indonesia's Bali island, which becomes the international gates for Timor Leste citizens willing to go abroad.

Bali and Australia have become the international gates for Timor Leste people.

But more and more Timor Leste people choose to depart from Bali to other international destinations to save costs, said newly- appointed consulate general Manuel Serrano.

Bali is in shorter distance from Timor Leste and offers lower travel costs, Serrano was quoted by the national Antara news agency as saying.

Indonesia's state-run airliner Merpati serves seven flights per week between Bali and Timor Leste, compared with just one flight to and from Australia.