The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, as acting Minister of Defence, participated in the hearing with the National Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security (Committee B), within the context of the assessment of the proposal for the ratification of the Air Services Agreement between the Timorese Government and the Australian Government.

This Air Services Agreement was signed by both countries in 2017 and has already been ratified by Australia. This agreement it is based on the desire of both countries to promote a competitive international aviation system between the air transport companies in the market, with competitive, innovative and safe services.

The Agreement also aims to ensure the highest level of international security and protection, reaffirming its serious concern for acts and threats against aircraft safety.

With this Agreement ratification, airlines will be able to enter the airspace of the two countries without requiring prior authorization, as long as the regulatory requirements, including safety, are met, which will increase competition, which may decrease the costs of tickets and freight transport.

During the hearing, the Minister responded to the Committee B members’ concerns and stated that the Ministry of Defence has no objection to the ratification of this agreement, defending the advantages of its ratification.

In the context of the agreement’s assessment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Transports and Communications, the National Civil Aviation Authority of Timor-Leste (AACTL) and the Airports and Air Navigation Administration of Timor-Leste (ANATL), were heard,  and the Ministry of Interior will also be heard.