Jakarta – Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said Indonesia was hoping Timor Leste's new government will continue the policies of its predecessor, including that on the Indonesia-Timor Leste Joint Commission of Truth and Friendship to settle their common residual problems

"We hope that Timor Leste's next government, the newly elected president, prime minister and parliament members, will continue the polices which were pursued by their predecessors," Wirajuda said

The minister made the statement at the Foreign Ministry building after installing a number of echelon I and II officials here on Friday

He said he hoped the newly elected government would continue the CTF process in order to settle the two countries' historical burden through reconciliation by building friendship

Asked about the possibility of a change in Timor Leste's position on the CTF if Jose Ramos Horta was elected president, the minister said Horta was one of the Timor Leste government officials involved in the CTF's establishment

"Don't forget that Ramos Horta and I were involved since the beginning in initiating the CTF concept. So I hope the CTF will be able to work until the expiry of its tenure," the minister said

Ramos Horta was reported to be leading the temporary vote count in the second round of Timor Leste's presidential election in which he was competing with Parliament Speaker Francisco Guterres

Wirajuda said he had phoned Horta and personally congratulated him for the lead he was having in the provisional vote count.