Dili, July 2 (AseanAll) — The President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, J. Ramos-Horta, expressed profound gratitude to the United States Navy for its continued cooperation with Timor-Leste and called for strengthening the Seabees deployment during the change of command ceremony of this military unit.

In his speech, the Head of State highlighted the essential role that American naval engineers have played in national development since the restoration of independence, emphasizing their contributions to building schools, health centers, and humanitarian response actions in emergency situations such as floods and natural disasters.

Ramos-Horta further emphasized the global impact of US armed forces in humanitarian actions, citing as examples their rapid response to the Pakistan earthquake and the 2004 tsunami in Aceh, Indonesia. “American defense forces are a force of peace and solidarity,” he stated, also praising the missions of the hospital ship USNS Mercy in the region, which have provided transformative medical care, including ophthalmological surgeries.

During recent conversations with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Singapore, the President reiterated the importance of maintaining and, if possible, increasing the current deployment of approximately 100 Seabees. He also emphasized the strategic role of these forces in promoting regional stability and development, considering them “true ambassadors of peace” who represent American humanitarian values worldwide.