NEW EUROPEAN UNION AMBASSADOR TO TIMOR-LESTE PRESENTS HIS CREDENTIALS

15.10.2019

15/10/2019 - Dili, Timor-Leste - The new European Union (EU) Ambassador to Timor-Leste, His Excellency Andrew Jacobs presented his credentials to the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Dr Francisco Guterres Lú-Olo, at a ceremony at the Presidential Palace today.

 

After the ceremony, Ambassador Jacobs said: "I am greatly honoured to have presented my Letter of Credentials to His Excellency the President and to take up my duties as European Union Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.  I look forward to working with the Government and people of this beautiful country and to reinforcing our long-standing, close and fruitful partnership.  The European Union and Timor-Leste see eye-to-eye on today's global challenges, from fighting climate change, to strengthening stability in an increasingly volatile world, to defending democratic principles, human rights, and multilateralism.  Our close partnership makes us stronger, and reinforces our capacity to deliver changes that improve lives."

 

Ambassador Jacobs went on to say "The European Union enjoys strong political relations with Timor-Leste, and we are also a proud development partner, supporting the country in its drive to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.  We are working in particular in the fields of rural development, nutrition, public financial management, and decentralization providing not only technical assistance but budget support, which enables us to channel funds directly to the Government.  We are also working to strengthen the capacity of civil society, which has a crucial role to play in development.  With our Timorese partners, the European Union will soon begin to plan its cooperation programme for the period 2021 to 2026 and we are committed to strengthening our support."

 

Ambassador Jacobs was formerly EU Ambassador to the Pacific, based in Fiji. He has also had postings in Vietnam and Thailand, where he was responsible for EU cooperation with Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.  In addition to Asia and the Pacific,   he has worked extensively with countries of North Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Balkans.  He is accompanied in Timor-Leste by his wife Hilary.  They have three grow-up children.

 

The European Union is made up of 28 Member States who have decided to gradually link together their know-how, resources and destinies. Together, during a period of enlargement of 50 years, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms. The European Union is committed to sharing its achievement and its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders.

 

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