Media Releases
08 of May of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of May 8, 2019Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of May 8, 2019
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the proposed Decree-Law, presented by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Demetrio de Amaral de Carvalho, on the Legal Regime for the Protection and Conservation of Biodiversity. This Diploma aims to safeguard the vast biodiversity of Timor-Leste, which is positioned in one of the regions with the highest biodiversity in the world and which hosts a number of different species of fauna and flora. The Decree-Law establishes the legal framework for the protection and conservation of biodiversity, complementing the provisions of the National System of Protected Areas, and implementing the Environmental Law, in the part where the State is expressly responsible for adopting measures necessary for the protection and conservation of species, habitats and ecosystems. At the institutional level, the Decree-Law also promotes the integration of biodiversity considerations in the different sectoral policies, defines the responsibilities of each of the governmental actors and simultaneously demands the active participation of all sectors of society in the protection of biodiversity and sustainable use of components, in a participatory, collaborative and consultative framework.
The Secretary of State for the Environment also presented the proposed Decree-Law on the sale, import and production of plastic bags, packaging and other objects. This Diploma aims to prevent and reduce the impact of waste on the environment, focusing mainly on single-use plastic products. Accordingly, the Decree-Law prohibits the sale, import and production of non-recyclable plastic products and the prohibition of the acquisition, distribution, importation and production of certain plastic objects. The Diploma also establishes the following fundamental principles: precaution, prevention, sustainable development, global environmental security, polluter-pays, reuse and recycling and energy recovery. This proposal will be re-examined further by the Council of Ministers.
The Council of Ministers approved the proposal for a Resolution, presented by the Acting Minister of State Administration, Abílio José Caetano, approving the procurement process for the implementation of the investment strategy for solid waste management in Dili. The solid waste management plan proposes the acquisition of model containers for modern and efficient waste disposal, waste collection vehicles, mobile equipment, scale and landfill equipment to improve the operational standard of the Tibar waste site. It also aims to improve the service of solid waste collection, with the change to a method of mechanical collection. Finally, the plan also aims at transforming the Tibar dump into a landfill that is controlled according to the integrated waste treatment strategy. The implementation plan for the management of solid urban waste in Díli presents as its main benefits the improvement of the quality of the urban environment, improving health, reducing the risk of flooding, high efficiency in the collection and management of waste through international practices, creation of employment opportunities and the possibility of tourism growth through effective environmental management and maintenance.
The Minister of Transport and Communications, José Agustinho da Silva, presented the proposal for a Resolution, approved by the Council of Ministers, appointing the members of the Board of Directors of the Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações, the telecommunications regulator. Thus, the Government appoints Fernando Afonso da Silva as Non-Executive Director and Vidal dos Santos Gomes as Technical Director, both for a term of five years.
The Minister of Transport and Communications also presented the proposal for a decision on the authorization of the process of supplying the construction of the passenger ship for the project of connecting maritime transport along the north coast of Timor-Leste. This project is co-financed by the German Financial Cooperation and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. The Deliberation proposal was approved pending analysis and confirmation by the Ministry of Finance.
The Council of Ministers approved the proposal for a resolution presented by the Minister of Defense, Filomeno da Paixão de Jesus, regarding the names of the commanders of the F-FDTL components to be proposed to the President of the Republic, responsible for appointing the F-FDTL components.
The Council of Ministers approved the proposal for a resolution submitted by the National Procurement Commission on the authorization of the procurement process for the construction of the future building of the Dili District Court. The funding for the construction project for the Dili District Court is included in the State Budget for 2019 in the Infrastructure Fund. ENDS- 01 of May of 2019Government congratulates the new Emperor of JapanPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Government congratulates the new Emperor of Japan
The Government of Timor-Leste presents its warm congratulations to His Majesty Emperor Naruhito who ascended to the throne in Japan on May 1st, 2019 and wishes the greatest successes in the performance of his noble functions.
Timor-Leste and Japan have a multifaceted and extremely rich bilateral relationship that is expected to continue to evolve positively under the leadership of Emperor Naruhito.
The Government of Timor-Leste also salutes the outgoing Emperor, Akihito, who has served as Emperor of Japan for the past three decades.
To celebrate this occasion, a Congratulations Book will be available at the Japanese Embassy, which will be attended by members of the Government and all those who wish to congratulate the new Emperor. The Congratulations book will be available between 10am and noon and between 2pm and 4pm on the 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th of May.
On behalf of the Government, the Minister of State for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, expressed his conviction that, following this new imperial era, strong ties between the two nations will continue to be strengthened in the years to come. ENDS - 30 of April of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of April 30, 2019Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of April 30, 2019
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the proposal for a resolution, presented by the Minister for Legislative Reform and Parliamentary Affairs, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, on the concession and implementation agreement between the Millennium Challenge Corporation ( MCC) and the Government of Timor-Leste for the implementation of the Millennium Challenge Compact. MCC and the Government of Timor-Leste have been working on developing a five-year compact program to reduce poverty through economic growth, focusing on key challenges facing the country, such as access to clean water, health, nutrition, sanitation and human resources development. The Council of Ministers gave the Minister of Legislative Reform and Parliamentary Affairs full powers to sign the agreement.
The Council of Ministers approved the proposal for a Government Resolution presented by the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, which sets the vacancies for the career promotion of personnel within general public administration system. The vacancies destined to the promotion are set annually by the Government, based on a proposal of the Civil Service Commission, up to a limit of ten percent of the total personnel of each category or professional group.
The Council of Ministers continued its analysis of the proposal for a Resolution, presented by the Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion, Maria José da Fonseca Monteiro de Jesus, on the report of the national review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action of the period between 2014 and 2018. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a document created in 1995 in China during the Fourth World Conference on Women, aims to discuss actions to promote equality, development and peace for women. The document identifies 12 thematic priority areas for States to overcome obstacles faced by girls and women and achieve gender equality. The national report sets out the progress and key results achieved, and the challenges and obstacles encountered in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action for the period 2014-2018. The proposal was approved, and the report will be submitted to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP - United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific) on the 1st of May. It will be presented later in November 2019 in Bangkok at the regional level at the UN-ESCAP meeting and in March 2020 at the 64th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
The Council of Ministers approved the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dionisio da Costa Babo Soares, on the names to be proposed to the President of the Republic for the Heads of the Diplomatic Missions of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. ENDS - 24 of April of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of April 24, 2019Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of April 24, 2019
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and heard a presentation by Roberto Caetano de Sousa Vicente, Executive Director of the Information and Communication Technology Agency I.P. (TIC Timor) concerning the status, plan and program of this public institute, under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister. TIC Timor, created in 2017, has the mission of implementing the policy and approved strategy on information and communication technologies and manages the IT network of the Government and other public entities, including the management of information and communication technologies infrastructure and information systems. During the presentation, the Executive Director of TIC Timor detailed the plan of action until 2030, with the objective of increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery through the Electronic Government and, at the same time, implementing structures that allow a better national and international connection, more stable and more secure, while also defining and implementing standards that guarantee not only the compatibility of equipment and software, but also greater interoperability and data security, essential for government activity and for the relationship of citizens with public structures.
The Council of Ministers approved with amendments the proposed Decree-Law presented by the Acting Minister of the Interior, Filomeno da Paixão de Jesus, on the import, transportation, storage and use of explosive products for the implementation of civil construction projects, petroleum activities and minerals. The approved Decree-Law establishes the rules, guidelines and special security procedures to be followed for the importation, transport, storage and use of commercial explosive products, in accordance with the needs of projects of public interest in the civil construction, mining and oil.
The Acting Minister of Finance, Sara Lobo Brites, presented the proposal for a Resolution, approved by the Council of Ministers, on the sixth amendment to the Development Agreement between the United States of America and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste for institutional strengthening and capacity-building for development. This agreement aims to contribute to a more prosperous, healthy and well-educated population with access to essential goods and services, where production and employment correspond to an emerging economy with opportunities for all, in a fair and inclusive way, facilitating the dynamic and innovative growth of the economy.
Sara Lobo Brites also presented the proposal, approved by the Council of Ministers, for a memorandum of understanding between the Government of Timor-Leste, the Government of Indonesia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on technical cooperation assistance and cross-border trade, to be signed on May 4, 2019, during the annual meeting of the ADB in the Republic of Fiji, by the Acting Minister of Finance of Timor-Leste, the Minister of Finance of Indonesia and the President of ADB. This memorandum follows the request made by the Governments of Timor-Leste and Indonesia to the ADB to support the strengthening of cross-border cooperation in order to promote the development of these regions. Between 2017 and 2018 an exploratory study was carried out that recommended three main areas of cooperation - transport and communications, tourism and livestock. This agreement will allow harmonization of border procedures to improve the link between the two countries, the expansion of the animal health certification system and the development of a joint tourist area focusing on sustainable and community tourism.
The Council of Ministers conferred on the Minister of Finance the full powers to sign the two agreements referred to above.
The Council of Ministers reviewed the proposal for a Resolution submitted by the Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion, Maria José da Fonseca Monteiro de Jesus, on the report of the national review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action of the period 2014 and 2018. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a document created in 1995 in China at the Fourth World Conference on Women, aims to discuss actions to promote equality, development and peace for women. The document identifies 12 thematic priority areas for States to overcome obstacles faced by girls and women and achieve gender equality. The national report sets out the progress and key results achieved, and the challenges and obstacles encountered in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action for the period 2014-2018 and will be submitted to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP), on the 1st of May. It will be presented later in November 2019 in Bangkok at the regional level at the UN-ESCAP meeting and in March 2020 at the 64th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The report will be re-examined at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers. ENDS
- 23 of April of 2019Timorese Government congratulates the President Elect of IndonesiaPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Timorese Government congratulates the President Elect of Indonesia
The Government of Timor-Leste presents its warm congratulations to Joko Widodo on his re-election as President of the Republic of Indonesia and wishes him great success as he continues his noble functions.
Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak in his congratulatory letter to the President-elect recalled that "Timor-Leste and Indonesia share a special relationship of friendship and closeness, which has been essential for the consolidation of defense, security and stability, necessary for the harmonious development and progress of the two nations, in the Region".
The Prime Minister further express his “renewed hope of being able to deepen, under the renewed leadership of Joko Widodo, the fraternal friendship that unites the two countries and the two peoples in the various spheres of bilateral and multilateral action, in particular in our process of accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)". ENDS - 22 of April of 2019The Government of Timor-Leste expresses solidarity with Sri LankaPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Government of Timor-Leste expresses its solidarity with Sri Lanka
The Government of Timor-Leste expresses its solidarity with the Government and people of Sri Lanka, especially the Christian community, following the bomb attacks on Easter Sunday, April 21, in three Christian churches and four hotels in the cities of Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa, which tragically resulted in at least 207 deaths and 450 injuries.
The Government of Timor-Leste condemns the attacks in Sri Lanka, which have caused more than two hundred deaths of 36 nationalities as acts of criminal violence and expresses its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims. Timor-Leste further expresses its support for the Government and all the medical and security teams that are doing their best to deal with this extremely tragic and difficult situation.
The spokesman for the VIII Constitutional Government, Minister of State Agio Pereira, said: "Our thoughts are now with the people of Sri Lanka and, in particular, with all those who were personally affected by yesterday's events. Timor-Leste expresses its solidarity with the people and the State of Sri Lanka and with all the nations affected by this tragic event". ENDS - 17 of April of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of April 17, 2019Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of April 17, 2019
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and reviewed the presentation of the Secretariat of the Voluntary National Review (VNR) Working Group of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During the presentation, the Secretariat of the Working Group submitted to the Government members for consideration the text with eleven key messages, aligned with the Eight Government’s Program and which constitute the main axis of the communication that the country intends to transmit on progress in implementation of the SDGs. The members of the Government presented recommendations to amend the final text of the key messages that will be sent to the headquarters of the United Nations until May 17, 2019. The Council of Ministers had already approved, at the meeting of February 13, 2019 , the main recommendations for VNR and during the months of February and March consultations were held with civil society organizations. The final report and key messages will be presented at the United Nations High Level Political Forum, which will take place between the 9th and the 18th of July 2019 in New York.
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, Longuinhos dos Santos, presented the proposal for a Government Resolution, approved with amendments by the Council of Ministers, on the appointment of the President and Vice-President to the Executive Board of the National Institute of Sciences and Technology (INCT). In accordance with the Strategic Development Plan and the Government Program, the present diploma sets the appointment of José Cornélio Guterres to serve a four-year term as President of the Executive Council of INCT and the appointment of Afonso de Almeida to the position Vice-President of the Executive Council of INCT, for the next four years. The mission of the INCT is to promote the dissemination and promotion of culture, scientific and technological knowledge, science and technology education, as well as the availability of data and information of national interest.
The Council of Ministers reviewed the proposal presented by the Secretary of State for National Liberation Combatants, Gil da Costa Monteiro 'Oan Soru', of a memorandum of understanding between Timor-Leste and the Government of Tasmania that will allow national veterans to participate in a professional training and development program for the management and preservation of national parks, with the objective of conserving the national natural and cultural heritage, contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of the communities and to promoting the development of historical and sustainable tourism. The proposal will be re-examined at a subsequent meeting following the opinion of the relevant Ministries. ENDS 
16 of April of 2019Timor-Leste completes the purchase of interests in the Greater Sunrise FieldsPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Timor-Leste completes the purchase of interests in the Greater Sunrise Fields
The Government of Timor-Leste has today, April 16, 2019, completed its purchase of ConocoPhillips' 30% interest and Shell Australia's 26.56% interest in the Greater Sunrise Fields, giving TIMOR GAP, the national oil company of Timor-Leste, a 56.56% interest in the Greater Sunrise Fields.
The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste congratulated the Parties on successfully completing the transactions, and is looking forward to further discussions with the other Greater Sunrise Joint Venture members on the swift development of the Greater Sunrise resources.
Timor-Leste's Special Representative on Petroleum Matters, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, stated: "The completion of the acquisitions marks the end of a process that commenced shortly after the signature of the Maritime Boundaries Treaty between Australia and Timor-Leste. TIMOR GAP's acquisition of this 56.56% will allow discussions to progress between the Sunrise Joint Venture and the Australian and Timor-Leste authorities on the new Greater Sunrise Production Sharing Contract that will govern the fields after the entry into force of the Treaty. It will also allow for negotiations to continue within the Sunrise Joint Venture, now with TIMOR GAP, on the development concept for the fields and the construction of the Liquefied Natural Gas Plant at Beaço, on Timor-Leste's South Coast. The Government of Timor-Leste will continue to work towards a fast development of Greater Sunrise for the benefit of all stakeholders."
The sale transaction covers ConocoPhillips' and Shell's interests in Production Sharing Contracts 03-19 and 03-20 within the Joint Petroleum Development Area created under the Timor Sea Treaty, and associated governance agreements and Retention Leases NT/RL2 and NT/RL4 issued by Australia. Once the Maritime Boundary Treaty between the two States comes into force the Greater Sunrise Fields will be included in the Greater Sunrise Special Regime Area and subject to joint exercise of jurisdiction under the new Treaty.
The Sunrise and Troubadour gas and condensate fields, collectively known as the Greater Sunrise fields, are located approximately 150 kilometers south east of Timor-Leste and 450 kilometers north west of Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory.
TIMOR GAP joins the continuing Greater Sunrise joint venture partners: Woodside (operator) with a 33.44% interest and Osaka Gas with 10%. ENDS
