The delegation is led by H.E. Jacinto Rigoberto, Vice Minister of State Administration with its member of delegation comprised of representative from Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of State Administration.
H.E. Jacinto Rigoberto, Vice Minister of State Administration expressed his admiration for Rwanda’s people by stated that “Rwanda’s people are so mature, despite of genocide, they are so united today, through reconciliation. This is a good reference for us in Timor-Leste and I will share this lesson with community in our country and will advocate this to our leaders”.
Major General Joao Miranda “Aluc Descartes”, from Ministry of Defense emphasized that people of Rwanda have a willingness and consistency to implement reconciliation among them. Timor-Leste also had similar practice however lacking in the implementation. The reconciliation requires every one’s conscience to commit to the principle of no discrimination and this is the lesson that we learned from Rwanda’s people.
Mr. Virgilio Smith, President of National Authority for Tourism, in his intervention after meeting with Rwanda Development Board, he recognized Rwanda policy and approach, the way they facilitate and attracts foreign investors for investing in tourism sectors are commendable. The development Transition that Rwanda has displayed is an inspiring lesson for the g7+ countries including with Timor-Leste.
The g7+ and RCI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2021 and extended in 2023 for another 5 years that aims to share Rwanda’s homegrown development initiative with the g7+ member states in the areas of common interest. In 2022, the g7+ has had Timor-Leste delegation to learn and share experiences on peace and reconciliations in Rwanda.
The study visits falls under the g7+ flagship program Fragile-to-Fragile (F2F) Cooperation which was born under the spirit of voluntarism, cooperation and solidarity. F2F does not aim to promote any specific model of development. Rather, it is based on the belief that there is no single best-fit answer to all the challenges in all the g7+ countries. F2F cooperation encourages the sharing and context specific adaptation of relevant experiences and knowledge among the g7+ countries and its partners. END.