"Welcome and thank you for the support given to us," he said at a meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the Palacio de Governor here on Saturday.
The two countries have agreed to cooperate in various fields, including education, diplomacy, economy, trade and border crossings.
Further, Xanana 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," he said.
President Yudhoyono, 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.
President Yudhoyono, flanked by First Lady Any Yudhoyono and an entourage, arrived here at about 10am local time on Saturday.
After arriving at Nicolau Lobato airport, President Yudhoyono proceeded to the office of the Timor Leste president for a meeting with President Jose Ramos Horta.
After the meeting, President Yudhoyono and President Ramos Horta witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in various sectors, including youth affairs.
President Yudhoyono also received a token of appreciation from the Timor Leste government presented by President Ramos Horta, followed by a meeting with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.
In the afternoon, President Yudhoyono is scheduled to visit the Seroja and Santa Cruz cemeteries and on Sunday attend the inauguration of the new president of Timor Leste as well as an event commemorating Timor Leste`s Independence Day. (*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
