Maria Ângela Guterres Viegas Carrascalão  Credit: ApexBrasil

Timor-Leste's Ambassador to Brazil, Maria Ângela Carrascalão, took part on October 7 in the Forum of Trade and Investment Promotion Agencies of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). Organized by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), the event marked the 30th anniversary of the CPLP and brought together representatives to discuss ways to strengthen economic cooperation and integration among Portuguese-speaking nations, according to Brasil 247.

In her address, Carrascalão emphasized the CPLP's contribution to building Timor-Leste as a young independent nation. She highlighted Portuguese as a fundamental element of national cohesion and international engagement, while presenting her country as a potential gateway to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"Timor-Leste is a very young country, a nation still under construction, not only in terms of language, but also in education, defense and justice. Therefore, the importance of the CPLP to Timor-Leste is evident, particularly in supporting the development of the Timorese state," she said.

The ambassador stressed that cooperation among Portuguese-speaking countries should extend beyond their shared language and encompass broader political, economic and social objectives.

"What matters is that we should not limit ourselves to language alone. We know that language brings us together. We are spread across four continents, from Portugal in Europe to Timor-Leste, so far away that when I say good morning, they say good evening. There is a 12-hour time difference and two days of travel, which sometimes makes communication a little difficult," she said.

Despite these geographical challenges, Carrascalão emphasized the importance of maintaining strong ties between Timor-Leste and the wider Portuguese-speaking community.

"That does not prevent relations between the CPLP and Timor-Leste from being meaningful and valuable, particularly because we are a small country, but no less sovereign," she stated.

The ambassador also recalled the struggle for Timor-Leste's independence and described Portuguese as a defining element of the country's national identity and international position.

"Our sovereignty is also rooted in the struggle of the Timorese people to achieve independence. It is also important to say that we are a nation because we speak Portuguese. Timor-Leste speaks Portuguese, is located on the other side of the world, and can serve as a gateway to ASEAN. We have the advantage of belonging to both the CPLP and ASEAN," she said.

Carrascalão argued that the Portuguese-speaking community shares values that can help strengthen cooperation across different regions.

"We have values that may not be very common in Asia, but that we share within the CPLP. These are values we should celebrate and take pride in," she said.

She placed particular emphasis on human rights, describing them as a common foundation for cooperation among CPLP members.

"Everything that unites us, from Europe to Africa and Timor-Leste, is rooted in the objective of respecting human rights. This is so important, so valuable and so unusual in today's fragmented world that it must be taken into account," she stated.

The ambassador highlighted Brazil's importance as a partner in Timor-Leste's development, identifying healthcare, agriculture, the blue economy, sustainable development and environmental protection as promising areas for cooperation.

"Brazil is very important to Timor-Leste. Brazil and the CPLP can support Timor-Leste in medicine, agriculture, the blue economy, sustainable development and environmental protection. We are tropical countries and face similar challenges. We fought and won the battle against malaria, but we have other problems that still need to be overcome," she said.

Agriculture was among the sectors she identified as offering substantial opportunities for collaboration, particularly through Brazil's experience as one of the world's leading coffee exporters.

"For example, in agriculture, there is coffee. Brazil is one of the world's leading coffee exporters, and we can benefit from support through the CPLP and Brazil, not necessarily only through ASEAN. The CPLP is valuable for its culture, its language and also the values it represents," Carrascalão said.

She also called attention to the historical importance of Brazil's participation in the creation and development of the Portuguese-speaking community, recalling the contributions of former Brazilian President José Sarney and Portuguese diplomat Jaime Gama.

"Perhaps this is why Brazil's commitment to revitalizing the CPLP is so important. Sometimes the organization seems to have been somewhat forgotten, but José Sarney and Jaime Gama believed in it. These are 30 years of history and achievements, during which we have not forgotten that we were once a colony," she said.

The ambassador reaffirmed that Portuguese plays a central role in strengthening Timor-Leste's sovereignty and international identity.

"We have the Portuguese language, and the Portuguese language gives us a role in the world and allows us to be a nation, a Portuguese-speaking nation," she declared.

Looking ahead, Carrascalão urged CPLP members to focus on practical cooperation and future opportunities rather than remaining attached to historical grievances.

"Leaving behind what belongs to the past, there is no point in talking about what was bad, what is behind us and no longer matters. We must look forward and recognize that support from the CPLP in trade, industry, healthcare, tourism and many other areas is very important for Timor-Leste," she concluded.

(Reported by Brasil 247 on October 8, 2026)