The Courier

Timor-Leste

© Hegel Goutier

A story of men who became living legends, like José Ramos-Horta: revolutionary, man of ideas, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize; and Xanana Gusmão: revolutionary, poet and painter, winner of the Sakharov Peace Prize.

Formal independence of this tiny state in South-East Asia on 20 May 2002 ended one of the cruellest episodes of a country in recent times, but sadly Timor-Leste has since suffered further upheavals of a kind only to be expected after such a long, tormented history.

However, despite all of this, Timor-Leste has emerged with its democratic principles intact and is proud to be one of the few countries in the region to champion the values it shares with the European Union. Clearly well placed for future development, its economy is relatively healthy and free of debt and serious corruption. Moreover, there is the promise of future exploitation of its oil reserves on a sustainable basis as well as its upcoming membership of ASEAN.

This is a country rich in natural beauty, ready for discovery by anyone seeking to venture off mass tourism’s well beaten track.

• Birth of a nation: An epic effort
• Post-crisis optimism - Political and economic background
• Timor's key concern: preparing for ASEAN membership
• No Violence Please! Toppling the government by hook or by crook - Mari Alkatiri, leader of the opposition
• Understanding the Timorese - Listening to Bishop Basilio Nacimento
• Surviving splendours and curiosities: discover them before the tourists get here
• Strengthening institutional capabilities and rural development… and responding quickly to crises - East Timor and the European Union