Media Releases
- 03 of April of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of April 3, 2019Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of April 3, 2019
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and heard a presentation of the company Mura, regarding CAT-HTR, an innovative technology of transformation of plastic to oil. This technology was invented by Thomas Maschmeyer, professor of chemistry at the University of Sydney in Australia. The company Mura, owned by Armstrong Energy and Licella, owns the intellectual property to use this technology. CAT-HCR uses high pressure water and high temperatures to convert plastic waste into high value products. In this way this technology allows the reduction of plastic waste in the oceans and the reduction of the problems caused by carbon dioxide emissions caused by plastic burning, besides allowing to create a source of revenue with the transformation of this waste. For Mura, the company responsible for the project, Timor-Leste is the ideal partner for the implementation of this project, due to its geographic and social characteristics. The Secretary of State for the Environment, Demétrio de Amaral de Carvalho, will discuss the terms of a memorandum of understanding between the Government of Timor-Leste and Mura, to be later submitted for analysis by the Council of Ministers with a view to beginning studies of viability and to source eventual investors.
The Acting Minister of State Administration, Abílio José Caetano, gave a presentation to the Council of Ministers on the implementation plan for solid urban waste management in Dili. This plan was carried out based on Government Resolution 32/2016 of October 5 that approves the strategy for the management of solid urban waste in the city of Díli and in Decree-Law No. 2/2017 that approves the solid urban waste management system. The plan proposes the acquisition of container models for modern and efficient waste storage, waste collection vehicles, mobile equipment, balance 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 an integrated waste treatment strategy. The implementation plan for the management of solid urban waste in Díli presents the main benefits of improving 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 Acting Minister of State Administration also gave a presentation to the Council of Ministers on the implementation in Timor-Leste of the Saemaul Undong development model (SMU), created by South Korea in 1970 and which led to the economic and social development of the country. The Saemaul Undong model refers to a community development movement aimed at improving the quality of life of rural communities based on the spirit of diligence, self-help and cooperation. The implementation of the SMU in Timor-Leste could help reduce the distance between the Central Government and the communities, reduce the number of migrants from rural areas to the capital, increase opportunities at the municipal level with the use of their characteristics and potential, increase the number of available jobs and use the experience of national citizens trained in rural development.
The Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Armanda Berta dos Santos, presented the proposal for a Resolution of the Council of Ministers on the sector cooperation program between the Ministry of Labor, Solidarity and Social Security of Portugal and the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion of Timor-Leste for the period 2019-2022. The axes and priority areas established, through the analysis of the objectives and priorities agreed by the governments of the two countries, are the "democracy, rule of law and human rights" axis, with interventions in the institutional capacity building, the "human development and poverty eradication" axis with activities in social protection and inclusion and institutional capacity building and "child rights and gender equality" axis through institutional capacity building. This proposal will be reviewed at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers. ENDS 
27 of March of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of March 27, 2019Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of March 27, 2019
The Council of Ministers met in the Government Palace in Dili and approved the Government's Resolution on a donation to the Republic of Mozambique for support in the response to the destruction caused by Cyclone Idai, which hit the coastal city of Beira, capital of the Mozambican province of Sofala on March 14, killed more than 450 people and left more than 1,700 wounded and more than 100,000 displaced people. Given the seriousness of the situation and the historical and friendly ties between Timor-Leste and Mozambique, the Government expresses its solidarity with the people of Mozambique and approves the amount of one million US dollars to support the response to the needs caused by the passage of Idai.
The Acting Minister of Finance, Sara Lobo Brites, presented the proposal for a Government Resolution approved by the Council of Ministers on the creation of the Interministerial Commission for Fiscal Reform and Public Finance Management. The creation of this interministerial commission intends to give new political impetus to the fiscal reform and public finance management programs initiated in the 6th Constitutional Government, reinforcing the role and involvement of the members of the Government with responsibilities in these areas, aiming that by 2023 a significant part of the necessary legislation in this area will be drawn up. In this sense, the Government reaffirms the commitment made in its Program to comprehensively reform the area of public finances, with a view to increasing State revenues, strengthening and promoting sustainability, quality, transparency and responsibilities in fiscal policy and in financial management. The commission will be chaired by the Prime Minister, who will be assisted by the Ministers responsible for Finance, Coordination of Economic Affairs, Legislative Reform, Justice, State Administration, Strategic Planning and Investment and Petroleum and Minerals.
The Council of Ministers approved the proposal for a Memorandum of Understanding, submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and the Ministry of Justice, concerning the lease of the land of the United States Embassy in Timor-Leste. This memorandum of understanding will define the terms of the embassy's land lease and the rules for building and altering diplomatic facilities. ENDS
26 of March of 2019Government announces Popular Consultation and INTERFET Anniversary Organising CommitteePresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Government announces Popular Consultation and INTERFET Anniversary Organising Committee
On 30th August 2019, Timor-Leste commemorates the 20th Anniversary of the Popular Consultation. On this day 20 years ago, the Timorese people exercised their right to self-determination and voted overwhelmingly for independence. This moment fulfilled the long-held dreams of the people of Timor-Leste to achieve sovereignty over their future.
20th September marks the anniversary of the deployment of the International Force East Timor or INTERFET, the peacemaking taskforce that came to Timor-Leste to address the humanitarian and security crisis from 1999–2000. INTERFET, which was led by Australia, involved 21 countries who made an important contribution at a critical time in the history of Timor-Leste.
The Government of Timor-Leste has announced the Organising Committee for the Anniversaries – an inter-ministerial team, tasked with managing and coordinating all aspects of the anniversary events.
The Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak issued Dispatch no: 04/PM/II/2019 of 18th February, in which Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, leader of the Timorese Resistance and first elected President and former Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, was appointed President of the Organising Committee.
As such, the Organising Committee has started its work on the preparations for the anniversary.
Government spokesperson Minister Agio Pereira said the 20-year anniversary is an occasion to reflect on the birth of our sovereign nation and the first two decades of our development. Led by Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, the Organising Committee will develop a comprehensive program that includes official ceremonies, exhibitions, commemorations, sporting competitions and concerts.
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To honour this historic occasion, the government is calling on anyone who may have photographs, documents, artworks or artifacts relating to this period in their personal collections. An exhibition is being developed of memorabilia from this period, drawn not only from within Timor-Leste but all over the world.
All items are to be taken to the Organising Committee Secretariat at the Maritime Boundary Office at the Palácio do Governo, where a copy or scan of original photographs can be taken for inclusion in the exhibition.
For more information about this initiative, please contact Felismina Carvalho dos Reis on +670 7742 5544 or Domingos Guterres on +670 7705 5344 or email: info@gfm.tl
20 of March of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of March 20, 2019Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of March 20, 2019
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and heard the presentation of the results of the national survey on public opinion in Timor-Leste conducted between October and November 2018 by the International Republican Institute (IRI). The study reveals high levels of public interest in the national political process and presents as the main concerns of citizens the quality of roads, access to safe drinking water and unemployment.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dionisio da Costa Babo Soares, presented the proposal for a Council of Ministers' Deliberation on the Strategic Cooperation Program (PEC) between Portugal and Timor-Leste for the period from 2018 to 2022. The PEC defines as sectors of priority intervention the "Consolidation of the Rule of Law and Good Governance", "Education, Training and Culture" and "Inclusive Socioeconomic Development." The Council of Ministers approved the proposed agreement of the PEC to be signed in July 2019 by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the two countries.
Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Government of Australia for the participation of national citizens in the Pacific Labor Scheme. This Australian Government program, which began in July 2018, allows workers from various nations in the Pacific region to apply for low-to medium-skilled jobs in rural Australia. The Pacific Labor Program enables Timorese citizens to acquire work knowledge and experience and, on the other hand, allows Australian employers to gain access to reliable labor. The Council of Ministers granted full powers to the Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment, Julião da Silva, for the signing of this memorandum of understanding.
The Council of Ministers analyzed alternatives and possible agreements for the international air connections presented by the Minister of Transport and Communications, José Agustinho da Silva, in order to standardize the air transport service in the country. In this regard, the Minister of Transport and Communications was given full powers to sign an Agreement between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Government of Malaysia for air transport services between the two countries. ENDS
18 of March of 2019Government expresses condolences for the death of Gil da Costa AlvesPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Government expresses condolences for the death of Gil da Costa Alves
The Government deeply regrets the death on March 17 of Gil da Costa Alves, former Minister of Tourism, Trade and Industry of the Fourth Constitutional Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.
Gil Alves was born in Maubisse on September 17, 1958. He was an economist and lecturer at the Faculty of Economics at Atma Jaya University in Indonesia between 1990 and 1993.
He was Secretary-General of the Social Democratic Association of Timor (ASDT) and after the parliamentary elections of June 30, 2007, his party joined the AMP (Alliance of Parliamentary Majority) coalition. Gil Alves was sworn in as Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Industry on August 8, 2007, in the Fourth Constitutional Government, led by Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.
In 2018, Gil da Costa Alves assumed the role of Vice-President of the Timor-Leste Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Asia Affairs.
The Eight Constitutional Government joins leaders and institutions of Timor-Leste in honor of Gil Alves and expresses deep condolences to the family and friends of the former Minister. ENDS
17 of March of 2019Government expresses its solidarity with Mozambique and IndonesiaPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Government expresses its solidarity with Mozambique and Indonesia
On behalf of the people of Timor-Leste, the Government presents its condolences to the families and friends of the victims of cyclone Idai in Mozambique and the floods in the province of Papua in Indonesia.
The provisional assessment after the passage of cyclone Idai in Mozambique indicates at least 84 people have died and more than 1,000 were injured, but national authorities say the scale of the disaster is huge and could reach a thousand dead. In Beira, capital of Sofala province, 90% of the city and surrounding areas will have been damaged or destroyed. The cyclone, with heavy rains and winds of up to 170 kilometers per hour, hit Mozambique and Zimbabwe and Malawi causing at least 200 deaths, with hundreds of missing people and tens of thousands left isolated.
In the Indonesian province of Papua, floods caused by heavy rains last Saturday killed at least 50 people, wounded 70 and more than 4,000 displaced. Bridges, roads and dozens of homes have been damaged by flooding, with the impact of the disaster and the number of casualties likely to increase.
The Government of Timor-Leste commends the work of the authorities of the affected countries in their search and rescue work under conditions of extreme difficulty.
The spokesman for the Eight Constitutional Government, Minister of State Agio Pereira, said: "Our sentiments go to families who have lost loved ones and we salute those who remain determined in the search for survivors. Timor-Leste expresses its solidarity with the Governments and the people of the Republic of Mozambique and of the Republic of Indonesia, in these difficult days and in facing to the challenges that are presented for the coming weeks and months". ENDS
16 of March of 2019Government stands in solidarity with New ZealandPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Government stands in solidarity with New Zealand
The Government of Timor-Leste expresses its solidarity with the Government and people of New Zealand, especially the Muslim community, following the attacks on Friday, March 15 in Christchurch, which tragically resulted in at least 49 deaths and 48 wounded.
The Government of Timor-Leste condemns the attacks the mosques of Al Noor in Hagley Park and Linwood Masjid in the city of Christchurch as acts of criminal violence in all respects unacceptable and expresses its sincere condolences to families and friends of the victims. It also praises the work of the security and emergency services at this difficult time.
The Spokesman of the Eight Constitutional Government, Minister of State Agio Pereira, stated that "our thoughts are with all those who mourn" and expressed his "solidarity with the people and the New Zealander State and for all nations involved in this tragic event". ENDS
16 of March of 2019Meeting of the Council of Ministers of January 16, 2019Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of January 16, 2019
The Council of Ministers met in the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Council of Ministers Resolution presented by the Minister of Public Works, Salvador Eugénio Soares dos Reis Pires, on the extension of the contract, with the consortium of companies Esperança Timor Oan, Lda and JV with Winston Oil International (HK) Ltd., to supply fuel to the power plants until September 30, 2019 and authorization to purchase additional fuel for electric power generation. The agreement in force began on June 22, 2017 and ends in March 2019. This resolution aims to ensure the normal supply of electricity to the country and allows the preparation of a new international public tender for the supply of fuel.
The Minister of Public Works also made a presentation to the Council of Ministers on a proposal for cooperation between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Electricidade de Timor-Leste (EDTL), which includes a set of recommendations for the strengthening of the national electricity system by reducing production costs, increasing revenues, improving quality of service, institutional reform and training of human resources.
The Council of Ministers reviewed the presentation by the Minister of Transport and Communications, José Agustinho da Silva, on the memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency of the Republic of Indonesia with the objective of promoting the cooperation in the fields of meteorology, climatology and geophysics for the mutual benefits, interests and national development of the two countries.
The Minister of Transport and Communications also presented the memorandum of understanding to be signed with the National Agency of Search and Rescue of the Republic of Indonesia for cooperation between this Indonesian agency and the Ministry of Transport and Communications for air and sea search and rescue that will allow a quick exchange and regular information in cases of existence or possibility of danger, joint actions of search and rescue, sharing of knowledge and technical development and training actions.
José Agustinho da Silva also presented the memorandum of understanding between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia on the delegation of competences in air traffic services to facilitate the safe conduct of international air operations in the airspace of the two countries and the conclusion of an agreement for the provision of Air Traffic Services (ATS) in accordance with international standards and practices recommended by the Chicago Convention.
The Council of Ministers delegated powers to the Minister of Transport and Communications, in coordination with the relevant Ministries, to discuss and sign the above-mentioned three memoranda during his working visit to Jakarta, taking place between the 21st and the 22nd of this month.
The Minister of Legislative Reform and Parliamentary Affairs, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, presented a proposal for a Government Resolution, approved by the Council of Ministers, on the Legislative Reform Policy. The continuation of the implementation of the legislative policy, for a simple, systematized and accessible quality legislation, is one of the priorities of the Eight Constitutional Government, as stated in the Government program and its organizational structure, which ensures, at ministerial level, an effective policy direction in this area of government intervention. This policy action on legislative reform is aimed at improving the legislative procedure, from the decision to legislate until the entry into force of the legislation of the Government, promoting greater consistency of the systematic operation of the legal system and the ultimate objective of improving the quality of citizens' lives.
The Council of Ministers approved the proposal for a Judicial Reform Policy, presented by the Minister for Legislative Reform and Parliamentary Affairs. Considering that the program of the Eight Constitutional Government establishes that the consolidation of the justice sector proves to be of fundamental importance for the construction of the State and also a crucial factor for transmitting trust and attracting investment in the development of the economy, the ultimate objective of this reform is to improve the quality of life of citizens and is part of the fulfillment of the general political objectives of the Government.
Finally, the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, presented a proposal for a Government Resolution, approved by the Council of Ministers, which defines the vacancies for the process of career promotion of staff under the General Civil Service Regime for the year 2019. The vacancies admitted to be filled shall be fixed annually by the Government, based on a proposal from the Civil Service Commission, up to a limit of ten per cent of the total number of staff in the respective professional category or group. The competition for the promotions is carried out through a system of classification of the candidates by points, determined by the analysis of seven criteria and the results of a written test. ENDS
