East Timor (Timor Leste)

East Timor, known as the sunrise land, is a small country with a population of about 1.200.000, located on the eastern tip of the Indonesian Archipelago and enjoys a dry climate. Located in Southeast Asia, the island of Timor is part of Maritime Southeast Asia, and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. To the north of the island are the Ombai Strait, Wetar Strait, and the greater Banda Sea. The Timor Sea separates the island from Australia to the south, and the Indonesian Province of East Nusa Tenggara lies to East Timor's west. The total land size is 15006 km2. Much of the country is mountainous, and its highest point is Tatamailau (also known as Mount Ramelau) at 2,963 meters.  The climate is tropical and generally hot and humid. It is characterized by distinct rainy and dry seasons.

 The capital, largest city, and main port is Dili, 50,000 of population, and the second-largest city is the eastern town of Baucau. Other largest cities are as follows: Maliana with 22.000 of population, Suai 21539 people, and Likisia with 19000 people.

East Timor's two official languages are Portuguese and Tetum. English and Indonesian are sometimes used. Approximately, 98% of the population is Roman Catholic.

On 20 May 2002, the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of East Timor came into force and East Timor was recognized as independent by the UN. The independence has been achieved due to the support of the UN and the third president of the Republic of Indonesia, Habibie, subsequent to Referendum held in 1999.

The country's first democratic parliamentary election was held on August 30, 2001, with about 91% of eligible voters casted their ballots for the constituent assembly. In March 2002, the Constituent Assembly drafted the constitution based on the Portuguese model. Under this system, the president is elected directly and with limited executive powers as head of state. The Prime Minister is the head of government. The prime minister is officially elected by the president since he is the leader of the political party and has a majority in parliament. 

The President of the Republic Democratic is elected by popular vote for a five-year term.

The President guarantees the respect for the constitution and state institutions and acts as a facilitator and mediator of disputes when necessary. He has the power to veto laws passed by the government through the parliament, though he has somehow limited executive powers. The inauguration ceremony of the new President of East Timor took place on May 19, 2017 in the capital, Dali. H.E. Mr Francisco Guterres, who won 57% of the vote in the March 20, 2017 election, has been nominated as the country's president for five years.

East Timor has political, economic and cultural ties with a number of countries in the world, given its historical background, geographical location, and economic, cultural and ethnic factors. In East Timor foreign policy, the priority  falls on the bilateral relations with neighbors, and then with powerful political and economic countries that can guarantee the future of this newly independent country by providing financial and political assistance.

East Timor has been a member of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) since 2005 and joined the TAC in 2007 and the Ambassador of East Timor to Indonesia is, also, the accredited Ambassador to ASEAN. East Timor also participated in the 13th  NAM Summit in Malaysia a year after independence, officially joined the NAM in that year. East Timor officially urged ASEAN to join to this Association in 2011 which still under consideration. 

Relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Democratic Republic of East Timor

The Islamic Republic of Iran was one of the governments that recognized the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste shortly after the declaration of independence, and Iran's then ambassador to Indonesia attended the celebration of its independence. In addition, Iran is the first country in the Middle East to nominate its ambassador to Indoneisa as the Acredited ambassador to the East Timor.

The first accredited ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to East Timor, H.E Dr. Shahidi Moadab, presented his letter of credits to H.E Mr. Xanana Gusmão, then President of the East Timor on November 10, 2003. Currently, H.E Mr. Mohammad Khosh Heikal Azad is the fifth accredited Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Timor Leste; he whom presented his credentials to the president of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, H.E Mr. Francisco Guterres on February 20, 2020.