The Order of Timor-Leste 2012

Details of the Order of Timor-Leste and recipients: https://www.wikiwand.com/de/Ordem_de_Timor-Leste

Image courtesy: José Fernando Real, Wikipedia

On the 20 May 2012, Timor-Leste celebrated its 10th Anniversary of independence. As His Excellency Xanana Gusmão said in a speech in Sydney that year, the people of Timor-Leste had successfully ‘established a free and democratic state, with the rule of law and a safe and secure society’.

To reinforce this, the country experienced four years of unprecedented economic growth, and was listed in The Economist magazine’s top 10 fastest-growing economies, with a growth rate of more than 8 per cent.

On the 31 October, the 6-year International Stabilisation Force comprising hundreds of Australian and New Zealand soldiers came to an end. This was followed, in December, by the withdrawal of the United Nations Police (UNPOL), which had been an integral part of the UN peacekeeping mission.

This same year, I was honoured to be awarded an Order of Timor-Leste by then President Dr José Ramos-Horta for Ongoing Commitment to and Services in Timor-Leste in this momentous 10th anniversary year.