Dili, March 3 (AseanAll)  — President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, J. Ramos-Horta, presided over the official commemoration of the IX National Veterans Day at the central building of the Council of National Liberation Combatants (CCLN) in Comoro,on March 3, 2026. 

Speaking under the theme “Unity in Diversity with a Sense of Nationhood,” the Head of State paid a solemn tribute to the martyrs and heroes of the 24-year liberation struggle. The President emphasized that the veterans represent an incomparable moral capital whose discipline, organization, and unshakable faith remain the bedrock of Timor-Leste’s national identity and stability.

In his state speech, Ramos-Horta highlighted the country’s transition from the battlefield to the “Struggle for Development,” noting that the same unity used to achieve independence is now required for ASEAN integration and economic sovereignty. The President lauded the transformative capacity of veterans, specifically citing the “Bank of Our Future” as a symbol of the shift from armed resistance to economic investment. The Head of State urged the youth to learn from the selflessness of their elders to tackle modern challenges such as food insecurity, malnutrition, and multidimensional poverty.

Reaffirming the State’s commitment to ensuring justice and dignity for all combatants, the President called for renewed national cohesion to achieve the sustainable prosperity of the Timorese people. Underscoring the shift in the nation’s historical mission, President Ramos-Horta declared: “If the first [struggle] was for political freedom, this one is for economic freedom, social dignity, and the well-being of all.” President Ramos-Horta concluded by reminding the nation that veterans remain the guardians of historical memory and the essential pillars of the country’s future.