Timor-Leste FM Marks CPLP 30th Anniversary with Call for Unity
The Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) must remain a steadfast pillar of dialogue and trust, Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas declared on the organization’s 30th anniversary.
Speaking from Dili on Wednesday, Freitas emphasized that the strength of the Lusophone organization lies in its unique diversity. “The CPLP must continue to assert itself as a space of trust, dialogue, and convergence,” Freitas said. “The diversity that characterizes us must be transformed into a collective strength capable of producing concrete results and benefits for all our peoples.”
A Shared History of Independence
The Foreign Minister highlighted the deep historical ties between Timor-Leste and the CPLP, noting that the organization stood by the nation during its most critical moments. From the struggle for independence to the arduous process of state-building, the CPLP has been a constant ally.
“During our struggle for the restoration of independence, we received solidarity and support from the Member States,” Freitas noted. “Today, as we focus on national development, we continue to strengthen these bonds of friendship and share vital experiences within this community.”
Beyond Diplomacy: Concrete Benefits
Freitas lauded the CPLP as more than just a political talking shop. He described it as a “strategic platform” for promoting the Portuguese language and fostering international cooperation. He pointed to tangible successes that impact daily lives, including academic and professional mobility, technical cooperation, and the expansion of cultural and scientific networks.
“It is a true community that provides concrete benefits to citizens and strengthens the relations of friendship between member states,” he added.
The CPLP at 30
The CPLP was founded in Lisbon on July 17, 1996, by Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Timor-Leste joined in 2002 immediately following its restoration of independence, and Equatorial Guinea became the most recent member in 2014.
Timor-Leste currently holds the presidency of the CPLP, a role it assumed last December following the suspension of Guinea-Bissau due to a coup d’état. Minister Freitas delivered his message shortly before departing for the Philippines to attend a meeting of Foreign Ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), highlighting Timor-Leste’s growing role as a bridge between the Lusophone world and Southeast Asia.
Image: Pexels – Khánh Quan
