Media Releases
- 10 of Outubro of 2019250th Anniversary of the City of DiliPrime Ministermore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Press Release
Dili, October 10, 2019
250th Anniversary of the City of Dili
Thursday, October 10th, 2019, we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the city of Díli, as the capital of Timor-Leste.
Although the capital city is not considered, under Article 14th of the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, a national symbol, as the flag, emblem and national anthem, it is nevertheless a “symbol of Independence and National Development”, for most of the national and foreign citizens who visit us.
The date of the beginning of the construction of the city, therefore, is a great example and reference to reflect on the processes of construction, planning and urban planning, in favour of a city that we want increasingly humane, sustainable and environmentally friendly, in accordance with international best practices.
Considering that the VIII Constitutional Government Program has prioritized the wellbeing of citizens, in particular its component of access to education, health, social security, housing, electricity, water and sanitation services, pillars of a city provided with good quality of life, we invite all citizens to join these celebrations, through increasingly informed, active, participatory and committed citizenship, for the good development of our capital city, in collaboration with the Government and with the local authorities.
We want to have a clean, green and supportive City to live and work. 
09 of Outubro of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of October 9, 2019Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of October 9, 2019
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and analyzed the proposed Decree-Law, presented by the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, referring to the Sixth Amendment to the Decree-law Nº 10/2005 of 21 November on the Legal Procurement Regime. This amendment seeks to ensure that the advertising of international public procurement notices is no longer necessarily published in international printed newspapers and is then publicized on electronic platforms Internationally used for this purpose, as well as in a newspaper with national circulation. The proposal will again be analyzed at a later meeting of the Council of Ministers.
The Council of Ministers examined the proposed Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Justice, Manuel Cárceres da Costa, which establishes the new regime of admission and training in the careers of Judicial Magistrates, the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Public Defenders Office while regulating the nature, structure and functioning of the Legal and Judicial Training Centre. The proposal will again be analyzed at a later meeting of the Council of Ministers.
The Minister of Transport and Communications, José Agustinho da Silva and the National Procurement Commission presented two proposals for deliberation to the Council of Ministers concerning the procurement process for the update of 200 MBS satellite Broadband for 1 GBS and contract splicing for satellite broadband update from 100 to 200 Mbps. The proposal will again be analyzed at a later meeting of the Council of Ministers.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dionísio da Costa Babo Soares, gave a presentation to the Council of Ministers on possible applications of Timor-Leste to the position of Vice-President of the 76th General Assembly of the United Nations, to positions in The United Nations Economic and Social Council, the Human Rights Council and the UN Women Executive Council, and applications to the Committee on Population and Development and the non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. ENDS- 04 of Outubro of 2019Condolences on the death of former President of the Court of Appeal Guilhermino da SilvaPrime Ministermore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Press Release
Dili, October 4, 2019
Condolences on the death of former President of the Court of Appeal Guilhermino da Silva
His Excellency Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak express his deep regret and sadness with the news of the death of the former President of the Court of Appeal, Dr. Guilhermino da Silva, who passing away in October 3rd 2019.
“I am really sorry to hear the news of the passing of former President of the Court of Appeal which I deeply regret. I knew Mr. Guilhermino da Silva very well, he was humble and dedicated all his life to the development of the justice sector. When I was President of the Republic, we used to meet each other in the Presidential Palace, to share thoughts and ideas regarding the justice sector of our nation. Sadly, he was not able to finish his mandate, due to health problems, and he submitted his resignation letter to me, which I accepted so that he could concentrated fully on his health treatment and recovery. Unfortunately, God had another plan for him, so he let us early.
I would like to take this moment of grieving, on behalf of VIII Constitutional Government and on my one, to offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved family and we all pray that God will offer him an eternal resting place in Heaven” said Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak. End 
02 of Outubro of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of October 2, 2019Analyzed:more
1 - Presentation on the development plan of the Port of Hera;
2 - Proposals for deliberation, relating to the process of early procurement and amendment of the contract for satellite broadband update.
Approved
1 - Government Resolution concerning the renewal of the mandate of the members of the of the Timorese Archive and Resistance Museum IP (AMRT);
2 - Government Resolution on the reserve for Timor Gap-Timor Gas & Petroleum, E.P. in public procurement for the conclusion of petroleum contracts;
3 - General State Budget for 2020.
27 of September of 2019Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of September 27, 2019Analyzedmore
1 - Government Resolution on the authorisation to open public tenders for the conclusion of petroleum contracts;
2 - Outbreak of African Swine Fever.
Approved
1 - Government Decree which regulates the procedure concerning the allocation of areas of the territory of Timor-Leste to research and oil production activities.
27 of September of 2019African Swine Fever in Timor-LestePresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Press Release
September 27, 2019
African Swine Fever in Timor-Leste
Since the beginning of September 2019, there were registered a number of cases of infection and deaths of pigs in Timor-Leste, caused by African swine fever. Many of these cases have been reported by the owners of the pigs in Díli. To identify the disease, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAP) collected samples of affected pigs and sent them to a laboratory in Australia for testing.
The results of the laboratory tests conducted in Australia confirmed that African swine fever (ASF) has already entered Timor-Leste and that 41% of the samples were contaminated with the disease.
Up until September 19, 2019, in Dili, the MAP recorded nearly 400 cases of pigs who died and another 400 that are contaminated with the disease.
Historically, Timor-Leste has been free of African Swine fever. In order to guarantee this, Decree-Law No. 21/2003 on the quarantine regime, and specifically in its article 56, defines that the importation of pigs and products derived from countries affected by African swine fever is prohibited.
When the disease began to spread in the Asian region, the MAP organized a seminar on the disease on June 13, 2019, as a preventive measure. The aim of this seminar was to hold a technical discussion between the MAP and other directly relevant public services, such as customs, AIFAESA, PNTL, UNTL, or SERVE, to study the possibilities of biosecurity reinforcement and control in Timor-Leste, regarding this animal disease.
African swine fever is a viral disease of African origin. Although it has already been a known disease for many years, so far no treatment or vaccine has been found to prevent or treat the disease. At this time there is an outbreak of African swine fever in the Asian region. Until September 2019, the Asian countries in which there is already confirmation of the outbreak are China, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Laos, Myanmar, North Korea and Mongolia ( FAO data, 2019).
In Timor-Leste, African swine fever puts at risk about 400.000 pigs with more than 70% of Timorese families dependent on the raising of pigs for their livelihoods.
Regarding public health issues, the MAP clarifies that African swine fever is not a zoonotic disease, i.e. te disease does not pose a risk to humans.
The immediate action that is currently underway is a suspension of the movement of pigs between Dili and the other municipalities. The services of the control posts for the transport of animals were reinforced and, with cooperation of the security authorities, measures were implemented to restrict the movement of animals, namely pigs, between Dili and the other municipalities.
The MAP is in close cooperation with the Government of Australia, to take measures such as testing the samples, in order to have definitive confirmation of contamination with African swine fever .
The MAP is also, in conjunction with the World Organization of Animal Health, also known by the acronym OIE, producing information materials to explain the disease and the precautions to take. ENDS
26 of September of 2019Vote of Condolences for the Death of Father João de Deus PiresPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Press Release
September 25, 2019
Vote of Condolences for the Death of Father João de Deus Pires
It is with enormous consternation and great regret that the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste received the news of the death of Father João de Deus Pires, a Salesian missionary, on September 22 of 2019, at the Guido Valadares National Hospital in Dili.
Born in Morais, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Portugal, he was ordained a priest in 1956, and was sent to Timor-Leste in 1957.
From 1957 to the present day, he remained here, where he developed an intense and very varied educational and missionary activity, overcoming difficulties of all kinds and supporting great setbacks during the period of Indonesian occupation.
His role will be remembered in the history of Timor-Leste, during the Indonesian occupation, at a time when the support bases fell, Father João de Deus dedicated all his efforts to providing care to the population that was captured and surrendered, and was facing, in the years of 1979 and 1980, the most precarious situations of hunger and disease.
After the reorganization of the fight in March 1981, where the new "national unity" policy was able to shake the consciences and clarify the new nationalist concepts and ideals, Father João de Deus did all he could, including even facing threats on the part of the occupant, to maintain a close link between the mountains (the top leadership of the Struggle) and Dili, through which it was possible to send correspondence to the outside world.
Father João de Deus was exemplary in the treatment he gave to the couriers, at the time known as "boxes", instilling in them selflessness, a spirit of sacrifice and responsibility.
The agents of the clandestine networks cannot and will never forget the altruistic spirit of this missionary and great fighter for the freedom of the Timorese people, with whom he undertook to serve, as a priest, as Portuguese and as a humanist.
In the last years of his life, he took on the greater importance of welcoming the most vulnerable, assisting them in accommodation, social assistance and food, as well as in affection, education and the possibility of progressing in the intellectual formation in a healthy environment, enabling studies at the top level and the preparation of young people for active life.
Due to his extreme dedication, he earned respect, admiration and even the veneration of the Timorese people, contributing in a remarkable way to his evangelization and to the consolidation of the Salesian presence in Timor.
In May 2012, the late priest was decorated by the President of the Republic, with the Medal of the Order Dom Martinho Lopes, for his support for the Timorese resistance and relevant contribution to the struggle for independence.
At this moment of so much grief for the religious and the Timorese people in general, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste presents its deepest condolences to the family of the esteemed Father João de Deus, the Catholic Church and the Salesian family of Timor-Leste. ENDS
25 of September of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of September 25, 2019Analyzed:more
1. Presentation on Infrastructure Priorities of the Ministry of Interior;
2.Presentation of the Second National Communication of Timor-Leste under the United Nations Convention on Climate Change;
3. Proposal of Government Resolution authorisation for the opening of public tenders for the conclusion of petroleum contracts.
Approved:
1. statement of sorrow for the death of Father João de Deus Pires;
2.Deliberation concerning the integration of members of the F-FDTL in the contingent of the Armed Forces of Portugal to be sent to the Central African Republic;
3.Government Resolution conferring on the Acting Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, the mandate for the negotiation of Timor-Leste's accession to the World Trade Organization;
4. Full powers to the Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, Dulce de Jesus Soares, for the signing of a cooperation agreement with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), for a project to strengthen science and mathematics in basic education in Timor-Leste;
5.Proposal for deliberation for the supply of light fuel to the electricity company of Timor-Leste (EDTL) for the years 2019 and 2020.
1 
