Meeting of the Council of Ministers from October 21st, 2014
Presidency of the Council of Ministers
V Constitutional Government
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Dili, October 21st, 2014
Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers from October 21st, 2014
The Council of Ministers met this Tuesday, October 21st, 2014, in the Council of Ministers’ meeting room, at the Government Palace, in Dili, and approved seven diplomas:
1. Second Amendment on the Law of Electoral Administration Bodies
Under the scope of the growth and strengthening framework for national institutions, and taking into account the experience acquired in the last few years, it has become necessary to make adjustments in order to provide the National Electoral Commission (NEC) of resources that allow it to develop and exercise its institutional roles in an efficient, rational and effective way.
Therefore, the Government considers it appropriate, within the current framework of the NEC, for the existence of a permanent functioning quorum, allowing greater stability and consolidation of its functions.
2. Government Resolution approving the assignment for the construction of the Waste Treatment Factory of Tibar to the company Shun Hsin Constructions & Development, Ltd.
Following the presentation at the Council of Ministers’ meeting from August 19th, the Government once again evaluated the implications of the construction of a Waste Treatment Factory in Tibar, proposed by the company Shun Hsin, having expressed their agreement, in principle, to this investment.
It should be emphasized that population growth of the cities and consumption have been contributing to aggravate environmental conditions, mainly in urban areas, and thus it is urgent to take a decision on pollution treatment. The proposal by the Shun Hsin Company includes not only the collection and storage of waste, but also the treatment and reuse of organic waste.
3. Government Resolution approving the establishment of the Timor-Leste National Culture Day
Timor-Leste has, nowadays, an extreme richness in terms of tangible and intangible expressions of its Culture, including traditional knowledge that shows itself through different languages and dialects.
In order to celebrate this cultural richness and diversity of Timor-Leste, October 14th was chosen to celebrate this event, the date of the late poet Francisco Borja da Costa’s birthday, who, through his poems – such as “Pátria” (in English “Homeland”) (lyrics of the National Antehm of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste) – played a part in the national liberation struggle.
Borja da Costa was born on October 14th, 1946, in Fatu-Belak, Fatu-Berliu. Son of António da Costa, the Liurai of said kingdom, and of Alcina da Costa, the poet would come to be murdered in the early morning of December 7, 1975.
The poems of Borja da Costa were written with the aim of raising awareness on the oppressed people, while not forgetting the regional problems of educational nature and general development.
As an outstanding representative of the Timorese Culture, Borja da Costa symbolizes the diversity of cultural expressions in Timor-Leste. The National Culture Day of Timor-Leste should thus serve to remember and honor his figure, but also to raise public awareness about the need to dignify Culture and national artists, and thus honor all those who engage in the practice of artistic and cultural activities. The National Culture Day highlights the importance of Culture for the sustainable development of the country, promoting values of citizenship, peace and social cohesion.
4. Resolution proposal of the Government, approving the ratification of the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1973)
This Resolution Proposal from the Government intends for the National Parliament to ratify the UNESCO Convention of November 16th, 1972, on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
This Convention’s objective is to identify, protect, conserve, enhance and transmit, to future generations, the cultural and natural heritage located in Timor-Leste, which, as a reminder, is a full member of UNESCO since 2002.
Through this Convention, the country may also benefit from technical assistance from international cooperation, particularly in the financial, artistic, scientific and technical fields.
5. Resolution Proposal, from the Government, approving the ratification of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003)
This Convention is aimed at the protection and safeguarding of practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated therewith – that communities, groups and, eventually, individuals recognize as being part of their cultural heritage.
The text, approved by the Council of Ministers, proposes that the National Parliament ratify this UNESCO Convention, dated October 17th, 2003, on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Timor-Leste is a full member of UNESCO since 2002.
6. Resolution Proposal, from the Government, approving the ratification of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005)
This Resolution Proposal from the Government submits, to the assessment of the National Parliament, the ratification of the UNESCO Convention dated October 20th, 2005, on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. This agreement aims to protect, promote and respect the diversity of cultural expressions, foster interculturalism, in order to develop interaction, by building bridges between peoples, to adopt and implement policies and measures that are appropriate to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions, in the respective territory.
Timor-Leste is a full member of UNESCO since 2002.
7. Government Resolution on the INTERPOL travel document
The International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL, of which Timor-Leste is a member, aims to guarantee and promote mutual assistance between criminal police authorities.
Thus, it is up to the member States to undertake all efforts in order to strengthen and develop mechanisms for an effective and rapid cooperation that can fight crime in an effective way, in line with the decisions taken within the General Assembly, according to article 9 of the Constitution of INTERPOL.
Under this scope, the INTERPOL travel document, adopted at the 81st General Assembly of the Organization, by facilitating the transportation and entry of officials of INTERPOL, its national offices or national criminal police authorities within the Member States, imposes itself as a mechanism of multilateral cooperation, in the sense it facilitates multilateral joint actions against transnational crime.
The Council of Ministers also analyzed two presentations:
1. Presentation on the Mission of the Timor-Leste Cooperation Agency in Guinea Bissau
The Cooperation Agency of Timor-Leste has made a progress status on the work undertaken in Guinea Bissau, were elections where recently held that ensured the democratic transition and national stability of the country.
The emergency support of the Mission of Timor-Leste covers several areas, namely financial support for payment of salaries to civil servants, along with support in order to ensure the functioning of State institutions, technical support, training and accompaniment in the areas of defense, security, communications, voter registration and health.
In September, the Cooperation Agency of Timor-Leste delivered financial assistance in the amount of six million dollars in order to help the payment of salaries to civil servants.
2. Presentation on the activities of the State Secretariat for the Promotion of Equality
The Secretary of State for Promotion of Equality carried out visits to all districts / municipalities to promote and prepare the implementation of the Decentralization Policy of Local Government, which will gradually be delegated to the municipalities. The main purpose of these visits is to install the Asosiasaun Feto Potensial Distrital (Association of Women with Potential in Districts).
The Secretary of State also informed the Council of Ministers about the preparations for the commemoration of the 37th National Women's Day, in Manatuto.
