Media Releases
- 05 of August of 2019National Holiday on the Occasion of the Celebration of Idul Adha 2019Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Press Release
National Holiday on the Occasion of the Celebration of Idul Adha - 02 of August of 2019Timor-Leste Welcomes the Statement from the 52nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Recognising Progress to ASEAN AccessionPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Press Release
Timor-Leste Welcomes the Statement from the 52nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Recognising Progress to ASEAN Accession
Timor-Leste, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, welcomes the Joint Communiqué of the 52nd ASEAN Foreign Minister’s Meeting on 31 July 2019 in Bangkok.
Timor-Leste wishes to thank the ASEAN Member States – especially Thailand – for the warm hospitality during our delegation’s visit to Bangkok and recognises that the outcome of the meeting continues to build clear momentum towards our accession to ASEAN.
As confirmed in the Joint Communiqué, Timor-Leste looks forward to receiving the Political-Security Fact-Finding Mission on Timor-Leste's Preparedness to Accede to ASEAN in early September.
The Government of Timor-Leste remains strongly committed to achieving a smooth ASEAN accession, and will continue to build on the great strides towards technical preparedness over coming months. ENDS
31 of July of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of July 31, 2019Approved:more
1 - Decree-Law on the Organic of the Ministry of Finance
2 - Fiscal ceiling and national priorities for the General State Budget (OGE) for 2020;
3 - Memorandum of Understanding between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Republic of Indonesia, on customs cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters; and
4 - Names to be awarded the "Order of Timor-Leste" on the occasion of the celebrations of the 20th Anniversary of the Popular Consultation- 24 of July of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of July 24, 2019Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of July 24, 2019
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and gave full powers to the Minister of Justice, Manuel Cárceres da Costa, to sign Timor-Leste's accession to the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements resulting from Mediation, also known as the Singapore Convention on Mediation. This Convention, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 20, 2018, is intended to provide States and regional economic integration organizations with a cross-border legal framework to ensure compliance with agreements providing for mediation as a means of resolving possible disputes between the Parties in the commercial sector. This Convention provides for mediation as a means of resolving disputes arising in the context of international trade relations and has already been ratified by more than 150 countries, including all ASEAN countries. Timor-Leste will sign the Convention on August 7, 2019 in Singapore.
Acting Minister of the Interior, Filomeno da Paixão de Jesus, presented a Government Resolution proposal, approved by the Council of Ministers, concerning the visa waiver of Indonesian citizens, thus implementing the Memorandum of Understanding between Timor-Leste, Indonesia and the Asian Development Bank on technical assistance for cross-border trade and cooperation. This resolution aims to strengthen cross-border economic cooperation to combat poverty and generate new economic opportunities and revenue by boosting cross-border tourism. It also aims to prepare for ASEAN integration through increased cooperation with the nearest neighbor, support for growth and economic diversification.
The Council of Ministers also gave full powers to Defense Minister Filomeno da Paixão de Jesus to sign the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Defense of Japan on cooperation for education and training in humanitarian assistance and operation for disaster relief.
Finally, the Council of Ministers granted full powers to the Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, Dulce de Jesus Soares, to sign the Addendum to the Cooperation Protocol between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Portuguese Republic, for the continued implementation of the CAFE project and the international assessment provided for in the protocol, allowing for discussions with the partner on a new phase of project implementation and to follow up in 2019 on all procedures necessary for implementation of the project from 2020 onwards. This protocol was signed on December 30, 2014 for a period of four years and renewed on July 20, 2017 for the period from September 29, 2018 to December 31, 2019. The future addendum provides for a further two-year extension, to apply from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021. ENDS - 10 of July of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of July 10, 2019Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of July 10, 2019
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace, Dili and heard a presentation by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, regarding preparations for the XII Sports Games of the CPLP, Timor 2020, which will take place between July 14 and 24, 2020. The program presented by the Secretary of State for Youth and Sport, Nélio Isaac Sarmento, includes the list of participating countries, the modalities and the infrastructures that are being prepared, namely the various stages for different sports, accommodation, transport, medical and safety services, among others. The logo and music specially designed for this international event were also presented, for the appreciation of the members of the Council of Ministers.
The Council of Ministers reviewed and approved, through a Government Resolution, the Memorandum of Understanding between the National Petroleum and Minerals Authority, the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Australian National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority, on the cooperation between the regulatory authorities regarding the Bayu-Undan Gas Field and the respective pipeline, presented by the ANPM team led by Mr. Gualdino da Silva. The Council of Ministers granted Mr. Gualdino da Silva full powers to sign the Memorandum, representing the National Petroleum and Minerals Authority.
The Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, Nélio Isaac Sarmento presented a Government Resolution establishing an Interministerial Occasional Committee for Coordination of Activities within the Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sports of the CPLP and the XII Sports Games of the CPLP. The Council of Ministers reviewed and approved the Resolution.
The Council of Ministers approved and granted full powers to the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Dulce de Jesus Soares, to sign the Proposal for the Amendment of the Cooperation Agreement in the Sector of Youth and Sport, to be presented at the XII Conference of Ministers Youth and Sport of the CPLP, to be held in Luanda, Angola from July 22 to 24, 2019.
The Minister of Public Works, Salvador Soares dos Reis Pires, presented to the members of the Council of Ministers a proposal to amend the construction contract for the Suai motorway, numbered ICB/007/MPNR-2013, entered into with the consortium China Overseas Engineering Group Co. Ltd. and China Railway First Group Co. Ltd. (section I - Suai-Fatukai/Mola) related to the South Coast Infrastructure Development project. This change does not imply any increase over the initial cost. The Council of Ministers approved by Deliberation the proposal of the Minister of Public Works. ENDS - 09 of July of 2019Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of 08 and 09 July 2019Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Press Release
Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of 08 and 09 July 2019
The Council of Ministers met with the Head of the Negotiating Team of the Council for the Definitive Delimitation of Maritime Borders and Special Representative of the Government of Timor-Leste for the Completion of Procedures Necessary for the Ratification of the Treaty between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Commonwealth of Australia Establishing Respective Maritime Borders in the Timor Sea, Acquisition of Interests in Oil Fields and Celebration of Agreements on the Development of the Greater Sunrise Fields, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, on 8 and 9 July.
The meeting was called for the submission, analysis and approval by the Council of Ministers of proposals for legislation and other contractual documents necessary to submit to the National Parliament the proposal for a resolution aimed at ratifying the Treaty between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and Australia which establishes the respective Maritime Borders in the Timor Sea.
During Monday morning, the Negotiating Team Leader presented the draft of the Treaty, and the President of the National Petroleum and Mineral Authority, Gualdino da Silva, presented to the Council of Ministers a summary and the outcome of the negotiation process with the oil companies that currently operate in the joint development area (JDPA) and under licenses issued by Australia.
Within the scope of the text of the Treaty approved by the Council of Ministers for ratification by the National Parliament and as previously provided for in the Timor Sea Treaty, Timor-Leste undertook to guarantee these companies conditions equivalent to those of the JPDA and the Australian licenses, as they will, after Treaty ratification, operate on what are Timor-Leste waters.
To this end, the Council of Ministers has considered and approved a draft law to be submitted to the National Parliament for the adaptation of tax laws in order to allow Timor-Leste to collect the taxes due for the exercise of the oil exploration activity in the East Timor, with an expected increase in tax revenue for Timor-Leste, notably through the taxation of oil activities in areas formerly shared with Australia or exclusively Australian.
Subsequently, the Council of Ministers reviewed and approved a draft law to be sent to the National Parliament to establish a specific labor and migration regime for the exploration of the Bayun-Undan oil field. In order to allow this oil field to continue to operate under existing conditions, it is necessary to adapt the labor and migration laws to allow its workers, Timorese and foreigners, to continue to work in accordance with the rules and international best practices in this sector of activity.
The Council of Ministers also examined and approved two proposals to be sent to the National Parliament for the adaptation of the Law on Petroleum Activities and the Law of the Petroleum Fund to the regime resulting from the new Treaty.
On Tuesday, July 9, the Council of Ministers analyzed and discussed four draft Decree-Laws aimed at establishing the Transition of Petroleum Titles and Regulation of Petroleum Activities in the Bayu-Undan Field on holdings formerly located in the Joint Petroleum Development Area (ACDP), Buffalo Field and certain areas of the AC/L5 and WA-18-L (Laminaria and Coralina) Licenses, as well as the draft Production Sharing Contracts which regulate said activities with the contractors and other contractual instruments necessary to effect said transition.
Lastly, and for a total of more than 50 documents, the Council of Ministers also approved the draft Decree-Law that seeks to amend Decree-Law no. 20/2008, of June 19, establishing the National Petroleum and Mineral Authority (ANMP), with the objective of adapting the ANPM's organic legislation to the new regulations resulting from the Maritime Borders Treaty, as well as two proposals for Resolutions approving an Agreement with Australia with the objective of permitting the exchange of tax information referring to the contractors that, up until the entry into force of the Treaty, operate in the areas of joint development or in areas of exclusive Australian jurisdiction and the regime for the operation of the Bayu-Udan gas pipeline in the segment which under the Treaty is now in the continental shelf area of exclusive jurisdiction of Timor-Leste.
ANNEX:
List of draft-Laws and draft Decrees-Laws approved:
Draft Resolution to the National Parliament for the Ratification of the Treaty between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and Australia establishing the respective Maritime Borders in the Timor Sea;
Draft Law approving the first amendment to Law no. 8/2008, of June 30, first Law no. 3/2003 of July 1 on the taxation of Bayu-Undan contractors and first amendment to Law no. 4/2003, of 1 July, on the development of Timor Sea oil
Draft Law that approves the Labor and Special Migration Regime applicable to the Bayu-Undan Project;
Draft Law that approves the second amendment to Law 13/2005, of September 2, which approves the Law of Petroleum Activities;
Draft Law approving the third amendment to Law no. 9/2005, of August 3, approving the Petroleum Fund Law;
Decree-Law on the Transition of Oil Bonds and Regulation of Petroleum Activities in the Bayu-Undan Field;
Decree-Law on the Transition of Oil Bonds and Regulation of Petroleum Activities formerly located in the Joint Petroleum Development Area (JPDA);
Decree-Law on the Transition of Oil Bonds and Regulation of Petroleum Activities in Buffalo Field;
Decree-Law on the Transition of Oil Bonds and Regulation of Petroleum Activities in certain areas of the AC / L5 and WA-18-L Licenses;
Decree-Law approving the first amendment to Decree-Law no. 20/2008, of June 19, establishing the National Petroleum and Mineral Authority. ENDS
- 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
.............................................................................................................................
Press Release
Strategic Partnership Agreement Between the Government of Timor-Leste and the Government of the Northern Territory of Australia
available soon 
03 of July of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of July 3, 2019Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
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
