REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, DILI - Timor Leste`s Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmao, has expressed appreciation to the government and people of Indonesia for their support and willingness to cooperate with Timor Leste.  "I welcome President Yudhoyono and extend my gratitude to the support rendered by the Indonesian Government to us," he said at a meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) at the Palacio de Governor on Saturday.

The two countries have agreed to cooperate in various fields, including education, diplomacy, economy, trade and border crossings. Further, Gusmao noted that 7,000 East Timorese are now studying in Indonesia, which he called evidence of how close relations are between the two countries.

"We have developed relations in various sectors and today we are strengthening cooperation in the fields of tourism, youth affairs, economics, border crossing permits and others," Gusmao added. 

SBY, meanwhile, said he had three purposes for visiting Timor Leste, including attending Timor Leste`s Independence Day celebration, the inauguration of Timor Leste`s new president and increasing cooperation between the two countries. "We have continued increasing various kinds of cooperation in the fields of diplomacy, economy and socio-culture. We are also following up on what has been recommended by the reconciliation commission to settle past problems," he said.

SBY, flanked by First Lady Any Yudhoyono and an entourage, arrived in Dili at about 10am local time on Saturday. After arriving at Nicolau Lobato airport, SBY proceeded to the office of the Timor Leste president for a meeting with President Jose Ramos Horta.

After the meeting, SBY and his counterpart witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in various sectors, including youth affairs. SBY also received a token of appreciation from the Timor Leste government presented by President Ramos Horta.

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