Media Releases
- 09 of July of 2019Strategic Partnership Agreement Between the Government of Timor-Leste and the Government of the Northern Territory of AustraliaPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Strategic Partnership Agreement Between the Government of Timor-Leste and the Government of the Northern Territory of Australia
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03 of July of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of July 3, 2019Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of July 3, 2019
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and heard a presentation by the World Bank on the structure of the partnership with Timor-Leste and on the proposal for a tourism development strategy in Timor-Leste, in a partnership between Government and the World Bank. The tourism development strategy is based on four main steps: market analysis; estimation of the economic benefits of tourism spending; estimation of public investment costs and comparison of costs and benefits; and calculation of the rate of return. In order to achieve the national tourism goals, through integrated planning, the priority and strategic areas of tourism will be identified through a participatory process, which includes strategies for the management and preservation of natural and cultural resources. It is also intended to increase the professionalism of human resources, encourage tourism entrepreneurship, develop skills and promote the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in the targeted communities as well as the development of infrastructure for strategic destinations and tourism products, in order to guarantee access to these locations based on technical concerns, but also concerns about environmental and social impacts. The tourism development proposal will continue to be analyzed by the Interministerial Commission for Tourism Development, which is responsible for promoting the preparation of the Tourism Master Plan, analyzing the necessary legislative initiatives and promoting interdepartmental articulation in the implementation and execution of the Tourism Master Plan.
The Deputy Minister for Strategic Health Development, Bonifácio Maukoli dos Reis, gave a presentation on the construction of the pediatrics and intensive care unit of the Guido Valadares National Hospital (HNGV). The new hospital block will have five floors and an area of about four thousand square meters. It will enable the provision of facilities tailored to the needs of the increasing number of HNGV patients, promoting the improvement of the quality of health care delivery in the country.
The Council of Ministers also heard a presentation by the Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Armanda Berta dos Santos, on the signing of the Multilateral Social Security Convention of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), agreed at the meeting of Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs Committee of the CPLP in Dili on 24 July 2015. Timor-Leste did not sign this convention at that time as the country has it had yet to establish its own social security system. The Convention is an International Agreement whose purpose is to protect workers in each of the signatory countries who are working abroad, allowing the time worked to be accounted for irrespective of the country where the worker worked during his or her active life, in order to avoid the loss of time in the contributory career scheme and also benefit the count for the terms of guarantee of access to social benefits covered by the Convention (protection in disability, old age and death). The Convention was recently signed in Portugal by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dionisio Babo Soares.
The Minister of Transport and Communications, José Agustinho da Silva, presented the proposal for a Decree-Law, approved by the Council of Ministers, on the Legal Regime of Aerodrome Certification. This legal regime is in line with the international legal framework and establishes the conditions for the construction, certification and operation of national civil aerodromes and establishes the operational, administrative, safety and facilitation requirements to be applied in these infrastructures.
The Council of Ministers also approved the proposal for a Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Transport and Communications, on the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents and Incidents with Aircraft, which establishes the principles governing the investigation of accidents and incidents with aircraft registered in Timor-Leste or occurring on national territory or in the airspace under the jurisdiction of Timor-Leste and which also establishes the Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Aircraft Accidents and Incidents.
Finally, the Minister for National Liberation Combatants, Gil da Costa Monteiro "Oan Soru", presented the proposal for a Decree-Law, approved by the Council of Ministers, regarding the first amendment to Decree-Law No. 8/2009, of January 15, on the Scheme for the Granting of Scholarships to Children of Combatants and Martyrs of the National Liberation. This amendment aims to guarantee equal access in the granting of scholarships among the children of National Liberation Combatants. ENDS
26 of June of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of June 26, 2019Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Meeting of the Council of Ministers of June 26, 2019
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and heard a presentation by the Ministry of Finance of the report on the assessment of development finance in support of the implementation of the Strategic Development Plan (PED) and the Sustainable Development Goals in Timor-Leste. The evaluation of development finance is a government-led dialogue process that considers the various sources of funding for the future in an integrated planning process and intends to be a tool to support Government in the definition of national reform policies in accordance with the Strategic Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals in Timor-Leste. The main recommendations of this report are the establishment of a strategy to promote national investment, the creation of an integrated financing strategy, the calculation of intervention costs to meet the priorities of the PED, the establishment of an integrated investment strategy for infrastructures and the need to create mechanisms to develop the potential of the national private sector.
The Ministry of Finance also presented the proposal for a Government Resolution, approved by the Council of Ministers, on Foreign Assistance Policy. The primary objective of this diploma is to ensure that any external assistance provided by the development partners is in accordance with the Government's plan and priorities. The External Assistance Policy provides a basis for building, maintaining and strengthening effective working partnerships based on a shared planning framework and objectives as well as harmonizing predictable and reliable external assistance from development partners with Government priorities. The document will be presented on July 4 at the Timor-Leste Development Partners Meeting (TLDP 2019), organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and the Ministry of Finance. The theme of TLDP 2019 will be "to deepen coordination for financing development" and will take place in the auditorium of the Ministry of Finance on July 2 and 3 with bilateral meetings and on July 4 with the multilateral meeting.
The Minister for Legislative Reform and Parliamentary Affairs, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, presented the proposal for a draft of the Protocol of Triangular Cooperation, between the Secretary of State for Social Communication, Camões, Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua, I. P. from Portugal and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Argentina. This cooperation protocol aims to implement the Project "Consultório da Língua para Jornalistas", aimed at training national media professionals in a more technical component, through the sharing of knowledge with Argentine professionals. The training is aimed at national radio, television and written press journalists, press assistants and professionals of social communication sector. The Council of Ministers approved the draft proposed and granted full powers to the Secretary of State for Social Communication, Merício Juvinal dos Reis 'Akara', for the signature of this protocol.
The Council of Ministers examined the Government's proposal for a resolution submitted by the Interim Minister of Finance, Sara Lobo Brites, concerning the payment of part of the co-financing of the construction of the second passenger ship - Nakroma II. The contract for the construction of the new ship was signed by the Governments of Timor-Leste and Germany on May 31, 2019. Considering that specific funding was not allocated in the General State Budget for 2019 for the payment of the construction of the Nakroma II, the proposal aims to secure the payment of part of the co-financing by Timor-Leste for the first phase of construction of this second passenger ship. The proposal will be re-examined at a subsequent meeting of the Council of Ministers.
Finally, the Council of Ministers approved the proposal for a Government Decree, submitted by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, on the transportation allowance for participation in compulsory training actions for teachers, school leaders, officials and agents who perform teaching functions at pre-school, primary and secondary education establishments, public and integrated into the public service education network, if they do not have access to a state vehicle or to transportation organized and paid by the Public Administration. ENDS- 12 of June of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of June 12, 2019Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of June 12, 2019
The Council of Ministers met in the Government Palace in Dili and approved the proposal for a Decree-Law presented by the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, regarding the first amendment to Decree-Law no. 20/2010 of 1 December, on the Remuneration Supplements of the Public Administration. This amendment sets out the payment of allowances for public administration staff, who carry out missions in the national territory, that last longer than fifteen days and that are duly substantiated cases and authorized by the Head of the Civil House, the President of the National Parliament, the Prime Minister, the President of the Court of Appeal or the chief executive officer in respect of officials, agents and employees of the respective governing body.
The President of TIMOR GAP, EP, Francisco Monteiro, presented to the Council of Ministers the annual report on the activities of the public company for the year 2018. Francisco Monteiro presented the programs and activities, financial results and objectives for the future, according to the Strategic Business Plan 2016-2035 of the national oil company. TIMOR GAP was established in 2011 and is responsible for the exploration, production, storage, processing, distribution and sale of petroleum products. An update on the Tasi Mane oil exploration project on the south coast of Timor-Leste was also presented. The project estimates that up to 10,000 direct jobs and up to 50,000 indirect jobs will be created. The Tasi Mane project provides for the creation of three industrial poles on the south coast of the country, from Suai to Beaço, covering the Suai Supply Platform grouping, the Betano Refinery and Petrochemical Industry grouping and the Natural Gas Installation (LNG) de Beaço, which will form the backbone of Timor-Leste's oil industry. The President of TIMOR GAP also presented the action plan for the development of the Greater Sunrise fields, in which, on April 16, 2019, the national oil company concluded the purchase of shares of ConocoPhillips and Shell Australia. The public company is currently in contact with partners of the Greater Sunrise consortium to discuss the concept of development and negotiation of the new Greater Sunrise Production Sharing Agreement.
The Council of Ministers approved the creation of an interministerial commission for tourism development. The tourism sector is recognized by the Government as an important pillar of Timor-Leste's economic, social and environmental development, essential for sustainable growth and the creation of this commission intends to strengthen inter-sectorial and inter-ministerial coordination and collaboration mechanisms. to enhance the competitiveness of the country as a tourist destination par excellence. The Commission will be chaired by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and composed of Ministers responsible for tourism, land use, transport and communications, interior, culture, environment, cooperatives and vocational training and employment. The commission will be responsible for promoting the preparation of the Tourism Master Plan, analyzing the necessary legislative initiatives and promoting interdepartmental coordination in the implementation and execution of the Tourism Master Plan.
The Council of Ministers approved the Executive Order of the Prime Minister appointing Francisco Kalbualdi Lay as National Authority for Expo 2020 Dubai, which will be responsible for setting up and appointing an organizing commission for the representation of Timor-Leste at Expo 2020, a world exhibition that will hold in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, between October 20, 2020 and April 10, 2021.
The Council of Ministers approved the 2019 Voluntary National Review (VNR) Final Report on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goas (SDG). The report presents progress on the implementation of the SDGs, with indications on the implementation of the Agenda 2030 in our country. The report will be Timor-Leste's contribution to the High-Level Political Forum, which meets next July at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and will announce the results of the National Voluntary Review process. Last May, the Government sent eleven key messages, endorsed by the Council of Ministers, which underline the achievements of Timor-Leste as the youngest state in Asia. These achievements are the result of national commitment to the processes of reconciliation, inclusion and democracy. The VNR was developed as part of a consultation process, led by the SDG Working Group, made up of representatives from the public sector, civil society, universities, the private sector, religious organizations and the National Parliament.
The Council of Ministers approved an agreement between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Kingdom of Cambodia on the visa waiver for holders of diplomatic and service passports, signed by the respective Foreign Ministers on 19 August 2016, with the objective of strengthening relations of friendship and cooperation between Timor-Leste and Cambodia.
Lastly, the Acting Minister of Finance, Sara Lobo Brites, presented the proposal for a Resolution, approved by the Council of Ministers, on the assignment of full powers to the interim Finance Minister for the signing of the technical assistance cooperation agreement between the European Investment Bank and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. ENDS 
10 of June of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of June 5, 2019Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of June 5, 2019
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and analyzed the Proposal for a Decision on the Final Report of the 2019 National Voluntary Review (RNV) on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) presented by the Minister of Legislative Reform and Parliamentary Affairs, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães and the RNV Secretariat. The report presents progress on the implementation of the SDGs, with indications on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in our country. The report will be Timor-Leste's contribution to the High-Level Political Forum, which meets next July at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and will announce the results of the National Voluntary Review process. Last May the Government sent to the United Nations eleven key messages endorsed by the Council of Ministers, which underscore the achievements of Timor-Leste as the youngest state in Asia. These achievements are the result of a national commitment to the processes of reconciliation, inclusion and democracy. The RNV was developed as part of a consultation process, led by the SDGs Working Group, made up of representatives from the public sector, civil society, universities, the private sector, religious organizations and the National Parliament. The members of the Council of Ministers will continue to analyze the RNV and the final deliberation on the report to be sent to the United Nations will be held at the next executive meeting.
The Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak and the National Institute of Public Administration (INAP) presented the proposal for a Resolution, approved by the Council of Ministers, on the Agreement between the Government of Timor-Leste and the Government of Japan to exchange notes regarding the extension of cooperation under the Japanese Agency for International Cooperation (JICA) Grant for the Japan Development Scholarship (JDS). The JDS project is funded by the Government of Japan and has already been implemented in 15 countries to support the development of human resources. The project consists of a two-year Master's program in English in Japanese universities and is aimed primarily at young staff of the Government of Timor-Leste.
The Council of Ministers approved a Government Resolution Proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Works, Salvador Soares dos Reis Pires, regarding the appointment of the members of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Equipment Management I.P. (IGE). The purpose of this institute is to ensure the proper management of heavy vehicles, machines and other equipment that are relevant to the further development of the infrastructure and the needs of Public Administration services. Considering that the current members of the previous Board of Directors will soon cease their functions, the Government resolves, under a joint proposal of the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Finance, to renew the mandate of José Luís Carvalho as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Abrão Pereira and José Diamantino de Oliveira, appointed members of the IGE Board of Directors for a term of three years.
Finally, the Council of Ministers hearda presentation by the Minister of Public Works on the strategy for the next five years for investment in the development and maintenance of national roads. This plan presents the priorities of action, according to the links to public services and areas of economic production, population density and traffic volume. The strategy also presents cost estimates, sources of financing for projects and proposes the creation of a fund for road maintenance. ENDS
05 of June of 2019Idul Fitri CelebrationPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Idul Fitri Celebration
The Government presents its congratulations and solidarity to the Muslim community of Timor-Leste on occasion of the Idul Fitri celebrations, which mark the end of Ramadan's fasting period. This is a festive moment for Muslim families and of forgiveness, not only in our region, but in all the Islamic communities around the world.
In Timor-Leste, it is an opportunity for everyone to remember the importance of peace, tolerance and solidarity.
The Government of Timor-Leste declared, through Order No. 02/2019/I/PCM, June 6, 2019 as a national holiday, in order to allow our People to participate in prayers and festivities together with their Muslim brothers.
This decision is based on Law 10/2005 of 10 August, which determines the days set out in the legal regime of holidays, official commemorative dates and days-off and the information provided by the Center of the Islamic Community of East Timor that indicated 5 and 6 of June as commemorative days of Idul Fitri, with the Government determiningthe day of June 6, 2019 as a national holiday.
Idul Fitri gives us the opportunity to strengthen our bonds of friendship and respect for other peoples, cultures and religions, as well as the opportunity to reflect on the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in order to contribute to a more just and peaceful world. ENDS- 29 of May of 2019 Government manifests solidarity and guarantees support to the population affected by the fire in the Manatuto MarketPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Government manifests solidarity and guarantees support to the population affected by the fire in the Manatuto Market
available soon... - 28 of May of 2019Government congratulates Scott John Morrison on his reelectionPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Government congratulates Scott John Morrison on his reelection
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