News

27th November 2002

Exhibition on first new nation of the Millennium - East Timor - opened in European Parliament

John Bowis - Conservative Member of the European Parliament for London – has organised an exhibition on East Timor within the European Parliament. John Bowis – who was the EU’s Chief Election Observer for the Presidential elections earlier this year – invited the Speaker of East Timor’s Parliament to officially open the exhibition earlier today.

Speaking at the launch John Bowis said, “As the EU’s former Chief Election Observer during the Presidential elections earlier this year - the aim of this exhibition is to ensure that East Timor remains at the top of the EU’s agenda. In particular I am supporting East Timor’s efforts to become a member of the Cotonou Agreement and will be urging the Council to agree. The Cotonou Agreement is a new trade and aid partnership agreement between the European Union and over 70 other countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group that replaces the Lome Convention. I hope that East Timor will benefit through its relationship with the EU and that the first new nation of the millennium will move forward with confidence and optimism.”

John Bowis added, “East Timor is one of the poorest countries on Earth, with average earnings adding up to only half a US dollar per day. However, the future prospects are optimistic and the economy has the potential to grow by selling crops such as coffee. There is also a growing textiles industry, rich fishing areas and even deposits of oil, which will provide opportunities for the people of East Timor to develop their economy. East Timor must build on the successful presidential elections held earlier this year and avoid the violence and destruction that the extreme militias inflicted on this country after the independence referendum, when the people voted to separate from Indonesia.”