Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has written a congratulatory message to the Prime Minister and Minister of Development and Institutional Reform of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Dr Mari Alkatiri. The text of the letter is appended
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
25 SEPTEMBER 2017
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22 September 2017
Dear Prime Minister Alkatiri
On behalf of the people of Singapore, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations on your appointment as Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste has made great strides since its independence in 2002, including through your personal contributions during your first term as Prime Minister, and later as President of the Authority of the Oe-Cusse Special Administrative Region.
Singapore and Timor-Leste enjoy warm and longstanding ties. Our friendship and cooperation predates Timor-Leste’s independence. As small states, we share many common concerns and interests and have worked well together bilaterally and at multilateral fora. Singapore remains committed to providing capacity building to Timor-Leste through the Singapore Cooperation Programme, and has been privileged to welcome over 600 Timorese officials to participate in our capacity-building programmes. I look forward to working with you to further strengthen our bilateral ties.
I wish you every success in your new appointment, and would like to invite you to make a visit to Singapore.
Yours sincerely
LEE HSIEN LOONG
HE Dr Mari Alkatiri
Prime Minister
Minister of Development and Institutional Reform
Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste