UN General Assembly
2013

the 2015-2016 term. New Zealand has actively worked with us for peace and security in Timor-Leste, and we believe it will both enhance the representation of small States and be a constructive bridge-builder at the Council. On 30 August, Timor-Leste celebrated the fourteenth anniversary of the referendum supervised by the United Nations that allowed the Timorese people to realize their right to self-determination and independence. In contrast, there are peoples who, after decades, continue to patiently wait for the realization of that right. Such is the case of the Sahrawi people. A stable and lasting solution for Western Sahara cannot exist without the democratic expression of the will of its people. We commend the decision of the leaders of the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to resume direct talks under the auspices of the United States Government. Timor-Leste supports the right of the peoples of Palestine and Israel to live side by side in peace, with dignity and in safety. We hope that the peace talks already initiated may at last lead to a