Media Releases
- 18 of July of 2022Meeting of the Council of Ministers on July 18th, 2022Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on July 18th, 2022
The Council of Ministers met, at the Government Palace, in Díli, and decided to approve the total amount of expenditure for each budget title regarding the General State Budget 2023 (GSB 2023). END - 13 of July of 2022Timor-Leste signs Compact Agreement with MCC on July 19th, 2022Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Press Release
Timor-Leste signs Compact Agreement with MCC on July 19th, 2022
The Government of Timor-Leste and the American government agency Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) will sign, on July 19th, 2022, a cooperation pact for a program, to be executed over five years, with a total amount of US$ 484 million, to reduce poverty through economic growth.
The compact agreement with MCC will be signed by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Fidelis Magalhães and the Vice President of MCC, Cameron Alford, in a ceremony to be held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
The investment will focus on two main projects, one for the improvement of the water, sanitation and drainage system and the other in the area of education and training. The first includes water treatment, sewage, drainage systems, the strengthening of institutions and regulatory bodies, and the creation of a solid supply of water and sewage for domestic use. The second will include a New Centre of Excellence for the training of new teachers that will ensure quality standards and leadership.
Of an estimated total of US$ 484 million, US$ 420 million will be provided by the MCC and the Government of Timor-Leste will contribute US$ 64 million. The amount to be provided by Timor-Leste will be allocated only to the water, sewage and drainage treatment project, of which US$ 34 million will be used to connect households and decommission the existing septic tanks. The remaining US$ 30 million will be used to support the installation of the conventional system and the installation of water pumps.
The MCC Board of Directors selected Timor-Leste in December 2017 as eligible for the implementation of an economic growth promotion programme aligned with national development priorities.
On July 21st, 2018, Minister Fidelis Magalhães and MCC Deputy Vice President Jonathan Brooks signed an initial funding agreement, worth US$ 750,000 for the creation of a team, embedded in the Millennium Challenge Compact programme, with the mission to identify economic sectors to be developed during the implementation of the programme.
This Government of Timor-Leste Compact Development Team (CDT-TL) was officially established on March 25th, 2019 and is led by Ambassador Constâncio Pinto.
From April 11th to 17th, 2022, Minister Fidelis Magalhães led a high-level delegation, comprising 14 representatives from various government entities, which travelled to Washington, United States of America (USA), for the negotiations of the compact agreement with the MCC.
The signing ceremony will be attended by members of the 8th Constitutional Government, the National Parliament, Municipal Authorities, community leaders, representatives of public organizations, civil society and the private sector, the diplomatic corps and development partners. END - 13 of July of 2022Meeting of the Council of Ministers on July 13th, 2022Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on July 13th, 2022
The Council of Ministers met, at the Government Palace, in Dili, and approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Defence, Filomeno da Paixão de Jesus, referring to the Organic Statute of the Falintil Unit, establishing its structure and attributions. The Falintil Unit, integrated into the central structure of FALINTIL-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste Defence Forces), is a Special Operations Unit. Its main mission is to train military personnel in the specific area of special operations and to prepare a Special Operations Force, of reduced manpower, specially organized and composed of specially selected, trained and equipped personnel, to operate under physically and psychologically demanding conditions in the fulfilment of missions that require non-conventional techniques and ways of operation.
The draft Decree-Law presented by the Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Industry, José Lucas do Carmo da Silva, for the creation of the public limited liability company GESPIN - Gestão de Parques Industriais, SA, was approved. To promote private initiative activity in the industrial sector, the Government intends to create this public limited company, which will be responsible for promoting, installing and managing industrial parks.
Also approved was the draft Government Resolution presented by the Vice-Prime Minister, and Minister of Planning and Territory, José Maria dos Reis, which aims to create the Interministerial Coordinating Commission for the Establishment of the Timor-Leste Engineering Laboratory, with the responsibility to present to the Council of Ministers, within three months, the Master Plan for the establishment of the Timor-Leste Engineering Laboratory. The commission, chaired by the Vice-Prime Minister, also comprises the Minister of Public Works and the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture.
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of State Administration, Miguel Pereira de Carvalho, concerning the mission to support the voter registration process in Guinea-Bissau. The approved Government Resolution appoints Lino de Jesus Torrezão as the Timor-Leste Government’s Special Representative with the Government of Guinea-Bissau to proceed with the identification of the needs of this State for the accomplishment of free and fair elections, next December 18th, 2022.
The Council of Ministers has authorised the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries to sign a memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia, to expand the existing framework of bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector, including the technical and scientific areas.
The Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Industry, José Lucas do Carmo da Silva, was authorised by the Council of Ministers to sign two memorandums of understanding with the Government of Indonesia, one in the area of trade and the other on standardization, conformity assessment and metrology.
The Council of Ministers also authorized the Minister of Transport and Communications, José Agustinho da Silva, to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Indonesia on the Cross Border Movement of Commercial Buses. This memorandum aims to support cross-border trade and cooperation between the two countries, allowing for the promotion, development and strengthening of trade, investment, tourism and cultural interchange between the two countries, through the establishment of an integrated and efficient transport system that is capable of encouraging economic growth and development in Timor-Leste, but also with benefits to Indonesia.
The Minister of Transport and Communications was also authorized to sign a memorandum of understanding between his ministry and the Agency of Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics of the Republic of Indonesia on cooperation in the field of meteorology, climatology and geophysics. The partnership foreseen in this memorandum aims to support the development of meteorology, climatology, and geophysics, an essential sector for Timor-Leste, namely in areas such as the calibration of meteorological and seismological equipment and the training of human resources.
The Council of Ministers also authorized the Minister of Transport and Communications to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of the Republic of Indonesia for cooperation in the area of communications and information technology. The expansion and improvement of the communications and information technology sector imply collaboration with other countries so that proactively and assertively both may increase the effectiveness of their internal and external performance and in this sense, it becomes necessary to establish bases for bilateral coordination and cooperation in the communications and information technology sector.
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, Longuinhos dos Santos, on the support measures for the movement of Timorese students attending higher education abroad to return to Timor-Leste or to go abroad in the occurrence of situations of a pandemic, epidemic, natural disaster or catastrophe, serious illness or armed conflict. With the approval of this diploma, in the event of the occurrence of the referred situations, the State will facilitate the necessary trips for the return to Timor-Leste of students, of Timorese nationality, who are actively attending higher education abroad in accredited higher education institutions, or their departure for the final destination of their higher education studies. The State will pay for the travel by air, sea or road transportation of the student during his or her return to or departure from Timor-Leste, and also for accommodation or temporary stay due to evacuations, quarantine or medical or hospital treatment.
The Minister of Finance, Rui Augusto Gomes, has received authorisation to sign a project agreement with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOIKA), for the development of the project "YEES - Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Skills". Under this memorandum the Republic of Korea will make a financial contribution of six million two hundred thousand dollars, to fund the development of youth in obtaining skills, competencies and knowledge to be employed, offer services available to provide holistic support in increasing employability and help youth start or expand their businesses. The project will run for six years from 2022 to 2027 and will be implemented in four municipalities, Dili, Baucau, Ermera and Liquica.
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law amending the Organic Law of the National Police of Timor-Leste. This draft Decree-Law had already been subject to deliberation in the meeting of the Council of Ministers on May 25th 2022, however, due to the introduction of some changes in the final wording phase, it became necessary to submit it to a new deliberation.
The draft Decree-Law for the second amendment to Decree-Law No. 26/2021, of November 26th, as amended by Decree-Law No. 12/2022, of March 17th, on exceptional and temporary measures for health surveillance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic disease, was also approved. With this amendment, the exceptional measures are extended until November 13th, 2022.
Lastly, the Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Industry, José Lucas do Carmo da Silva, as the National Authority for Expo Dubai 2020 (ANED-TL) and the General Coordinator for Expo Dubai 2020, Manuel Vong, made a presentation to the Council of Ministers on the results of Timor-Leste participation in Dubai Expo 2020. Timor-Leste pavilion, in the first world exposition taking place in the Middle East, was visited by more than 340 thousand people, between October 1st and March 31st 2022. During this period, several marketing and promotion actions were carried out to promote investment in Timor-Leste, in the areas of tourism and hospitality, agriculture and fisheries, connectivity, logistics and transport and oil, gas and minerals. There were also lectures and meetings with middle eastern rulers and private sector representatives. During the event, an air services agreement was also signed with the Government of the United Arab Emirates. END - 09 of July of 2022Timor-Leste regrets the passing away of José Eduardo dos SantosPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Dili, July 9, 2022
Press Release
Timor-Leste regrets the passing away of José Eduardo dos Santos
available soon - 08 of July of 2022Government expresses condolences on the death of former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo AbePresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Dili, July 8, 2022
Press Release
Government expresses condolences on the death of former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe
The Government of Timor-Leste received with deep regret the news of the death of the former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, this Friday, after being shot while addressing a campaign event, in Nara, a city in the west of Japan.
Shinzo Abe, was 67 years old and was the longest-serving Prime Minister in Japan, first between 2006 and 2007 and then between 2012 and 2020, when he stepped down due to a health problem.
Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak, on March 15th, 2016, then President of the Republic, on his official visit to Japan, was received by then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and had the opportunity to acknowledge his commitment to deepening cooperation ties with Timor-Leste.
The Spokesperson of the Government, Minister Fidelis Magalhães, on behalf of the Council of Ministers and the entire Government, conveys his sincere condolences to the family of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and reiterates his friendship and strong solidarity with the Government and all the people of Japan. END - 08 of July of 2022Timor-Leste welcomes the Australian Government's decision to discontinue the prosecution of Mr Bernard CollaeryPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Dili, July 8, 2022
Press Release
Timor-Leste welcomes the Australian Government's decision of dropping the prosecution against Bernard Collaery
The 8th Constitutional Government congratulates the decision announced yesterday by the Australian Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus, to discontinue the prosecution of Mr Bernard Collaery, four years after he was accused of divulging confidential information about Australia's alleged spying operation in Timor-Leste.
The Attorney-General, Hon. Mark Dreyfus QC MP, in announcing the decision expressed that it took into account the "commitment to protecting Australia’s national interest, including our national security and Australia’s relationships with our close neighbours ".
The Government of Timor-Leste acknowledges and appreciates the contribution of Mr Bernard Collaery and his client, a former spy known as Witness K, in the process that established the definitive maritime boundaries between Timor-Leste and Australia in the Timor Sea, culminating in the signing of the treaty between the two countries on March 6th, 2018.
Timor-Leste also celebrates and acknowledges the contribution of the Australian people who, over time, have supported and contributed to the closure of this prosecution and to reaching the maritime boundary delimitation agreement with Australia.
The Spokesperson of the Government, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, on behalf of the Council of Ministers and the entire Government, congratulates the Australian Government for this fair decision and asserts that this rectification of the error previously committed will contribute to further deepen the friendly relations between the two neighbouring countries.
The 8th Constitutional Government, led by Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, is committed to building a prosperous future, in which Australia is an irreplaceable partner. END
- 06 of July of 2022Meeting of the Council of Ministers on July 6th, 2022Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on July 6th, 2022
The Council of Ministers met, at the Government Palace, in Dili, and approved the draft Law Proposal, presented by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, for legislative authorization regarding the establishment of age limit for the working relationship of civil servants and public administrative agents.
With this draft Law Proposal, the Government intends that the National Parliament authorizes it to set the age limit as a cause for termination of work relationship in the Civil Service. Upon reaching the age limit, these civil servants and public administrative agents will be able to retire and request their elderly pension.
This draft Law Proposal aims to establish the necessary mechanisms to allow rejuvenation of the professionals of the National Civil Service, making it possible to bring new skills to the civil service. The renewal of staff in the Public Administration is an essential measure to ensure the improvement of services provided to the population.
The Council of Ministers approved two draft Decree-Laws, presented by the Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, Armindo Maia and the Secretary of State for Youth and Sport, Abrão Saldanha, aiming at:
the establishment of the competencies, composition and functioning of the National Sports Commission (CND – Portuguese acronym). This draft Decree-Law revokes Decree-Law No. 39/2011 of September 21st, which regulated the CND and creates a new structure and framework for the CND, as well as outlining its competencies, composition and operation to continue the process of developing the practice of sports in Timor-Leste.
- make the first amendment to Decree-Law no. 18/2019, of July 11th, which approved the Organic Law of the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports. This draft Decree-Law aims to adapt the Organic Structure of this ministry to the provisions of Decree-Law no. 30/2020, of July 29th, on the organization of the direct and indirect administration of the State. It is also intended to adapt to the ongoing deconcentration and decentralization process, promoting the harmonization between the administrative responsibilities and competencies belonging to the central services of the Secretariat of State for Youth and Sports. The existence of a single Directorate General for Youth and Sport is envisaged, as well as the restructuring and grouping of some national units and directorates.
Finally, the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Armanda Berta dos Santos, gave a presentation to the Council of Ministers on the social affairs platform, to effectively reinforce coordination in this sector. END
- 30 of June of 2022Fighting trafficking in personsPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Press Release
Fighting trafficking in persons
The 8th Constitutional Government is committed and pledged to gather all the necessary efforts to prevent and fight trafficking in persons and to protect and support the victims.
Trafficking in persons is one of the most serious forms of human rights violations. It is a complex phenomenon, mostly transnational, developed by organised criminal networks that take advantage of the victims' vulnerabilities.
The fight against this heinous crime requires not only a solid legal framework but also articulated action by all the entities involved, both national and foreign, strengthening knowledge of the phenomenon, institutional capacity, educational and preventive action among the various stakeholders, protection and assistance to victims and the punishment of traffickers.
Timor-Leste has finalised, in 2009, the process of accession to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and the Additional Protocol to this Convention, concerning the prevention, suppression and punishment of trafficking in persons, especially women and children. This international instrument aims to prevent and fight trafficking in persons, protect and assist the victims of such trafficking while fully respecting their human rights, and promote cooperation among the States Parties to achieve these objectives.
In 2017, the Law on the Prevention and Fight of Trafficking in Persons (Law No. 3/2017 of January 25th) was approved by the National Parliament, which, in addition to measures aimed at preventing and fighting trafficking in persons and protecting and assisting its victims, also introduced the fourth amendment to the Criminal Code, to expand the concept of the crime of trafficking in persons, protect its witnesses, provide for the punishability of legal persons and set the regime of loss of the respective benefits in favour of the State.
During the 8th Constitutional Government's mandate, through Decree-Law 9/2021 of June 30th, a Committee for the Fight against Trafficking in Persons was established, with the mission of coordinating, at the national level, the actions of different entities responsible for the prevention and fight against trafficking in persons, as well as guaranteeing the cooperation with foreign entities in this matter and monitoring the application of the provisions of international conventions that Timor-Leste has signed.
The Government is preparing a national plan against trafficking in persons and has carried out several initiatives in this area, namely the reinforcement of institutional capacity and border management, training and awareness-raising activities, the creation of the National Police Development Programme (TLPDP) and the preparation of an Integrated Criminal Information Management System. END
