TIMOR LESTE THANKS MALAYSIA FOR DEVELOPMENT

MELAKA (Malaysia), Jan 21 (Bernama) -- Visiting Timor Leste President Dr
Jose Ramos Horta expressed his country's gratitude to Malaysia for assisting in
the development and stability of his country.

He said Malaysia had been consistent through the South-South solidarity
programmes and was the first country to support its membership in ASEAN under
former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"We are a small country with 1.1 million population, and we hope, one day,
to reciprocate by assisting Malaysia," he told reporters after a visit to Putra
Hospital here.

Earlier, the president and his delegation -- on a two-day official visit to
the historic state -- were given a briefing by Melaka Chief Minister Mohd Ali
Rustam at Ayer Keroh here.

Dr Jose, who visited Melaka several years ago as Timor Leste foreign
minister, was also treated to a luncheon at the Portuguese Settlement here
before being taken on a boat ride at the Melaka river here.

Dr Jose said his small nation which achieved independence seven years ago,
saw a 10 per cent growth in the economy last year.

"We hope we can sustain our economic growth this year, despite the
international financial crisis," he said.

Meanwhile, Mohd Ali said Melaka offered medical tourism expertise to the
Timor Leste people and was looking into further development in youth cooperation
between the two countries.

Currently, Melaka is hosting 20 Timor Leste citizens through sponsorship
programmes to further their education here.
-- BERNAMA