Dili, 30 July 2010 - The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Timor-Leste (SRSG), Ameerah Haq, met with the Portuguese Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, João Gomes Cravinho, at the Dili headquarters of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste. Mr. Cravinho was accompanied by the Portuguese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Luís Manuel Barreira de Sousa.

SRSG Haq briefed the delegation on the work of the United Nations in Timor-Leste and acknowledged Portugal's personnel and financial contributions. She also reviewed UNMIT's efforts to strengthen national capacities in various areas.

Secretary of State Cravinho underscored the importance of the UN Mission's continued presence "at least until 2012" and expressed Portugal's commitment to supporting Timor-Leste through the UN and also bilaterally.

After their meeting, the SRSG and Secretary of State Cravinho attended a memorial service for peacekeeper Master Sergeant Hermenegildo Almeida Marques, a Portuguese FPU Officer who died as the result of a tragic accident on 21 June 2010.

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