The new President of the Republic of East Timor José Ramos-Horta has expressed his delight at his nation's adoption of the Document on Human Fraternity as a national declaration to be used in the country’s school curricula.

During the southeast Asian nation’s presidential inauguration ceremony, Ramos-Horta said, "I feel blessed that I was able to play a small part in the adoption of the historic Document on Human Fraternity as a national document by an extremely rare unanimous vote by our national parliament. East Timor and the United Arab Emirates share some common features in that we are both small countries and we contribute to a better world of human fraternity and solidarity. A world free of rivalries, tension, and violent conflict. A world without extreme countries, that is where the vast majority of fellow human beings live in abject poverty, and few enjoy a life of opulence.”

For his part, the *Secretary-General* of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam said, "East Timor’s decision to adopt the Document on Human Fraternity as a national document makes it an oasis for coexistence and tolerance. It is my hope that many other nations will follow suit since we live in a world filled with challenges and conflict."

Abdelsalam added, "Not only is President Ramos-Horta a Nobel *Peace Laureate,* but he is also a champion of human fraternity who embodies the values of the Document on Human Fraternity."