Dili, 23 June 2010 - The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Timor-Leste (SRSG), Ms. Ameerah Haq expressed deep appreciation to Portuguese leaders, and through them the people of Portugal, for their vital contributions to the development of Timor-Leste .

SRSG Haq briefed the Portugese leaders on the latest situation in the country highlighting the progress made since the 2006 crises and provided updates since the last report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/85). She acknowledged Portugal's support to the security sector, most notably its personnel contributions to UNMIT Police and the Military Liaison Group.

SRSG Haq expressed her deepest condolences on the death of Hermenegildo Almeida Marques on 21 June in a car accident in Manatuto while on duty. She noted that progress in the development of a "professional, modern, democratic national police service owes much to the important work of dedicated international police officers like Officer Marques."

The Minister of Home Affairs Rui Pereira and Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) National Director Superintendent Francisco Maria Correia de Oliveira Pereir responded positively to the SRSG's request for additional police officers. She had asked them to identify and deploy police officers with the required skill sets to mentor and train their PNTL counterparts.

President Cavaco Silva, Foreign Minister Amado and other leaders cited the "special relationship" between Portugal and Timor-Leste and affirmed Portugal's strong commitment to assisting Timor-Leste, while working closely with the SRSG and UNMIT.

Portugal's valuable contributions in strengthening democratic and judicial institutions, in language training, poverty alleviation, agriculture, health and education were also acknowledged in the meetings.

During her two day official visit to Portugal, 21-22 June 2010, SRSG Haq paid courtesy calls on the President, Professor Aníbal Cavaco Silva and former President, Mr. Jorge Fernando Branco de Sampaio and met with the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Luís Amado, Minister of National Defence, Professor Augusto Santos Silva and the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Rui Pereira. She also addressed the Parliament's Foreign Affairs Commission, met with the heads of the Guarda Nacional Repulicana (GNR) Lieutenant - General Luis Nelson Ferreira dos Santos and Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) Chief - Superintendent Francisco Maria Correia de Oliveira Pereira and the Fundação Oriente and interacted with the press.

The SRSG's visit to Lisbon will be followed by a visit to Paris to participate in a meeting of the UN Senior Advisory Group on the Review of International Civilian Capacities and a visit to Madrid to discuss police matters with senior officials of the Government of Spain.

RESJ Haq hahi'i Portugál tanba fó kontribuisaun importante tebes ba Timor-Leste