Poland in Indonesia

Historical view 

The date remembered by all Timorese is October 12, 1989, when pope John Paul II came to Timor-Leste, then under Indonesian rule. The sermon given by the pope during a holy mass near Dili reinforced spirit in the nation. To commemorate the visit, in 2008, a statue of John Paul II was unveiled near the capital. In 2019, Timor-Leste announced St. John Paul II the patron of education.

Political cooperation after 1989

The Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Jakarta is accredited for Timor-Leste. In Dili operates the Polish Consulate General headed by the Honorary Consul General operates. In 2004 the minister of foreign affairs of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos-Horta paid an official visit to Poland, and was received by the president of Poland and deputy speakers of both houses of the Parliament. In 2016, deputy minister of foreign affairs Roberto Soares visited Poland. In 2008, deputy minister of economy of Poland Adam Szejnfeld paid a visit to Dili. Since 2013, Poland has been supporting Timor-Leste through grants awarded by the Polish Aid Fund and coordinated by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Jakarta. Grants have been awarded for: - purchase of computer equipment for a vocational school in Venilale in 2013,   - purchase of an electrical generator for this school in 2014, - a project of dental care in Venilale in 2015, - vocational training of youth from Railaco area in 2018, -  training of carergives of people with disabilities in Dili and the surrounding area in 2018-2019.

Poland awards annualy an Ignacy Łukasiewicz scholarship in the field of technical master degree studies. Citizens of Timor-Leste, as the recipient country of official development assistance (ODA), may apply for the programme.

Links
Ignacy Łukasiewicz scholarship for master degrees studies in Poland