Media Releases
31 of Outubro of 2018Meeting of the Council of Ministers of October 31, 2018Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of October 31, 2018
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and began with a presentation by the Ministry of Finance of the National Human Development Report, based on a survey carried out in partnership with Flinders University of Australia and the United Nations Development Program. The aforementioned report focused on the current situation and welfare of the younger generation. Recommendations include investment in quality of health care, education and the economy, development of opportunities for young people, with a view to increasing the well-being of young people in Timor-Leste in general.
The Ministry of Finance then presented the Baucau-Viqueque Road Rehabilitation and Improvement Project through a loan to be granted by the Asian Development Bank. The project will run for 3 years starting in 2019 and ending in 2021. The main objective of the project is to provide a more secure, reliable and high-quality road network. This new network of roads will have a very positive impact, because it will strengthen and increase the efficiency of mobility of people and goods, will give great support to economic growth and consequent reduction of poverty in rural areas.
Representatives of the National Bank of Commerce of Timor-Leste (BNCTL) presented a capitalization proposal through Government financing for the year 2019. They showed by graphs the evolution of the growth of deposits and credits, from 2011 to the present date, as well as other variations related to loans, deposits and capital adequacy during this period, as well as the projections for the year 2019.
The Council of Ministers approved a Government Resolution on the contribution of Timor-Leste to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Fund for State Assistance in the amount of USD $ 250,000.00. This decision follows a request made by the Chief Negotiator, Xanana Gusmão, in the framework of Timor-Leste's position to support "fragile states", with similar border problems, but with major financial obstacles which hinder access to mechanisms of international law for the settlement of disputes concerning the delimitation of borders.
The Government approved the granting of a contribution of USD $ 180,000.00 to the Secretariat of State for Youth and Sport to support "Suai Extreme", a sports, music, culture and adventure festival, which will have the duration of 6 days and will culminate with the official inauguration of the motorway on the southern region of the country. Thousands of people, both Timorese and international, are expected to participate in recreational activities, some of which will occur for the first time in Timor-Leste.
The Acting Finance Minister also made a brief presentation of the draft General State Budget for 2019, which should be presented to the National Parliament for discussion and approval.
The Government approved the proposal for a Decree-Law, submitted by the Minister of Public Works, Salvador Eugénio Soares dos Reis Pires, on the organic law of the Ministry of Public Works, the government department responsible for designing, executing, coordinating and evaluating the policy, defined and approved by the Council of Ministers, in the areas of public works, urban planning, housing, water supply, distribution and management, sanitation and electricity.
The Government approved the proposal for a Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Transport and Communications, José Agustinho da Silva, on the organic law of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the governmental department responsible for the design, execution, coordination and evaluation of the policy, defined and approved by the Council of Ministers, in the areas of civil, maritime and air transport, auxiliary services, communications, postal services, telegraph, telephone and other telecommunications and meteorological and geophysical services.
The Government approved the proposed Decree-Law, presented by the Acting Minister of Health, Élia A. dos Reis Amaral, on the organic law of the Ministry of Health, the government department responsible for the design, execution, coordination and evaluation of the policy, defined and approved by the Council of Ministers, in the areas of health and pharmaceutical activities.
The Government approved the proposed Decree-Law, submitted by the Minister of Defense, Brigadier General Filomeno da Paixão de Jesus, on the organic law of the Ministry of Defense, the government department responsible for the design, execution, coordination and evaluation of the policy, defined and approved by the Council of Ministers, regarding the areas of national defense and the Armed Forces of Timor-Leste.
The Government also approved the proposal for a Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, Longuinhos dos Santos, on the organic law of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture, the governmental department responsible for the design, execution, coordination and evaluation of the policy, defined and approved by the Council of Ministers, concerning the areas of higher education and qualification, as well as for the areas of science, technology, arts and culture.
The Government also approved the proposed Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Dulce de Jesus Soares, on the organic law of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, the government department responsible for the design, implementation, coordination and policy evaluation, defined and approved by the Council of Ministers, for the areas of education, excluding the higher level, for the consolidation and promotion of official languages, youth and sport.
The Ministry of Tourism briefed members of the Council of Ministers on international events related to the commemorations of the Chinese New Year in which Timor-Leste will participate, as well as Expo Dubai 2020. In relation to this last event, Timor-Leste will officially present its tourism logo - "Timor-Leste, Explore the Undiscovered".- 31 of Outubro of 2018Clarification regarding false press releasePresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Clarification regarding false press release
The Presidency of the Council of Ministers announces that a false Communiqué has been circulated, that was not issued by this Government department, which falsely informs the public that a tolerance half day was given to public sector staff this Wednesday, October 31st, from midday. The Presidency of the Council of Ministers urges the public and civil servants in particular not to consider statements which, although they may mention that they were issued by the PCM, are not published in the Government Portal. 
10 of Outubro of 2018Meeting of the Council of Ministers of October 10, 2018Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of October 10, 2018
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and analyzed the presentation by the Minister of Transport and Communications, José Agustinho da Silva, on the project for maritime transport along the north coast of Timor-Leste. This project results from the cooperation between the East Timorese Government and the German Government, initiated in 2004, for the development of maritime transport and maritime infrastructures. The main component of this project will be the construction of a new passenger ship for the maritime connection of the entire northern coast. The project also includes, with the support of the Government of Japan, the construction of a new passenger terminal in Dili and the rehabilitation of the infrastructures of the terminals of Oe-cusse and Ataúro.
The Minister of State for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, presented the proposal, approved by the Government, of the Decree-Law on the organic of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM), a central government department whose mission is to provide support the Council of Ministers and the Prime Minister, to promote interministerial coordination of the Government, as well as the legislative procedure of the Government. The new structure of the PCM is necessary following the creation of the Ministry of Legislative Reform and Parliamentary Affairs, which inherited some of the roles that belonged to PCM, but also from the experience of more than ten years with the previous structure, which warrants, in some situations, to seek to simplify services by eliminating some intermediary structures that prove to be unnecessary, but also to go further, by providing new services that lead to a better and more efficient functioning of the Government for the benefit of the population. It also seeks to improve services provided by PCM, especially to other ministries, as the PCM is, by its nature, an instrumental ministry, which provides services to other ministries.
The Government approved the proposal for a Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Legislative Reform and Parliamentary Affairs, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, on the organic law of the Ministry of Legislative Reform and Parliamentary Affairs, a governmental entity responsible for the design, execution, coordination and evaluation of policy, defined and approved by the Council of Ministers, concerning the development, harmonization and consolidation of the legal system, judicial reform, parliamentary affairs and the media.
The Minister of Transport and Communications presented the proposal for a Decree-Law relating to the first amendment to the Decree-Law that approved the civil aviation bases law. The Decree-Law approved by the Council of Ministers determines that the classification of international airport will now be carried out through a Government Resolution, based on a proposal of the member of the Government responsible for transport.
The Council of Ministers also approved a resolution of the Government concerning the attribution of the name "hinode-bashi" which means sunrise bridge in Japanese, the third bridge over the Comoro river, whose design and construction was donated by the Government and People of Japan.
Members of the Government signed the second phase of the Maubisse Declaration on the package of measures to ensure the principles of inclusion, tolerance and gender equality. This set of measures, foreseen in the National Strategic Development Plan and reflected in the Eight Constitutional Government Program, represent government action across the entire Executive to strengthen the capacity and socio-economic power of women and people with disabilities.
The Council of Ministers approved the Government Resolution on the donation to the Republic of Indonesia for support in the response to the destruction caused by the earthquake with a magnitude 7.5 on the Richter scale and the tsunami that hit the island of Sulawesi on 28 September of 2018. The Government approved the amount of US $ 750,000 to support the response to existing needs after the destruction cause by the earthquake and the tsunami that followed.
Finally, the Council of Ministers approved the Government's Resolution to approve a contract for the acquisition of participatory interests and rights in the Greater Sunrise field, Timor-Leste's participation in oil operations and transfer of said participatory interests and rights to Timor Gap, EP or its subsidiaries for hold and management thereof in the name and on behalf of the State of Timor-Leste. ENDS
03 of Outubro of 2018Meeting of the Council of Ministers of October 3, 2018Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of October 3, 2018
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and discussed the presentation by the President of the Special Administrative Region of Oé-Cusse Ambeno (RAEOA) and Special Zones for the Social Market Economy of Timor-Leste (ZEESM TL), Dr. Marí Bin Amude Alkatiri. The President of RAEOA and the ZEESM presented to the Council of Ministers the budgetary results since 2015, the budget proposal for 2019 and the current situation of the projects. Since 2015, 182 projects were developed in coordination with the central government, including the construction of the airport, roads, bridges and irrigation systems.
The Government also reviewed the presentation on the "Development Plan for a Sustainable Economy of Marine Ecotourism in Timor-Leste". This plan presents a proposal to transform Timor-Leste so that it becomes a reference in dive tourism and whale watching in Southeast Asia. The development plan for a sustainable marine eco-tourism economy in Timor-Leste aims to provide the necessary research and media coverage to place Timor-Leste on the global eco-tourism map. It also aims to help create the necessary logistics and infrastructures for the protection and conservation of all marine life.
The Council of Ministers approved the Government's Resolution proposed by the Ministry of State Administration for the creation of the Guinea-Bissau Electoral Registration Support Mission (MAPRE-GB 2018) for the elections on 18 November 2018. The creation of MAPRE-GB 2018 follows a request by Guinea/Bissau to support the organization and implementation of the electoral registry, recognizing the important contribution that the two East Timorese missions in support of the electoral processes of Guinea-Bissau, established in 2013 and 2014, provided for the holding of free and fair elections in this country. MAPRE-GB 2018 will provide technical assistance and human resources training for the Guinea-Bissau electoral management bodies and promote the technological requirements for electoral registration operations. The approved Government Resolution appoints Tomás do Rosário Cabral to the post of Chief of MAPRE-GB 2018 and defines the budgetary limits of the mission.
The Government approved the proposal for a Government Decree, presented by the Acting Minister of Finance, Sara Lobo Brites, on the implementation of the General State Budget (OGE) for 2018. This decree approves the rules and procedures for implementation, monitoring and reporting requirements for the State and Social Security Budgets for the year 2018, essential for a rigorous and adequate monitoring of budget execution, as a decisive instrument for the full compliance with the principles and guidelines established by the OGE for 2018. The entry into force of the OGE for 2018 allows for the return to normality of budget execution, allowing to respond to the priority needs, to favor the resumption of economic growth, to provide conditions for the installation of the Eight Constitutional Government and, above all, to lay the foundations for the implementation of the governance program.
The Council of Ministers approved the proposal for a Decree-Law on the Organic Law of the Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals, a governmental entity with responsibilities in the design, execution, implementation, evaluation and follow-up of the policy defined and approved by the Government for energy, oil, gas and mineral resources. The approval of the respective organic law intends to provide this Ministry with a dynamic and efficient structure, capable of meeting the ever-increasing technical requirements of these activities and, thus, to exercise adequate guidance and control, including environmental licensing.
Also approved at the meeting of the Council of Ministers was the proposal for a Decree-Law on the Organic Law of the Ministry of National Liberation Combatants Affairs, in order to provide the Ministry with a structure of organization and function that allows the pursuit of its attributions with gains in efficiency in the management of existing human resources and services. The Ministry of National Liberation Combatants Affairs has as its mission to design, implement, coordinate and evaluate the policy, defined and approved by the Council of Ministers, in the areas of national liberation combatants, recognizing and valuing, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, the secular resistance of the Maubere People against foreign domination and the State's responsibility to ensure special protection for all those who participated in resistance to foreign occupation.
The Council of Ministers approved the proposal for a Government Resolution on the Appointment of Members of the Political Review Committee of the 2019 Budget to verify the strategic allocation of resources in order to achieve the commitments and objectives contained in the strategic documents and to assess the feasibility of the plans for the financial year 2019, for the preparation of the proposal of the State Budget to be submitted to the National Parliament by November 8, 2018. The Committee has as President the Prime Minister, as Vice-President the Acting Minister of Finance, and as members the Minister of State for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Acting Minister for Planning and Strategic Investment, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Minister for Public Works and the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, and as observers the Minister of Legislative Reform and Parliamentary Affairs and the Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion. ENDS
02 of Outubro of 2018ConocoPhillips and Government of Timor-Leste agree on terms for sale of interest in Greater Sunrise FieldsGOVERNMENT OF TIMOR-LESTE AND CONOCOPHILLIPSmore
JOINT NEWS RELEASE
02 OCT 2018
ConocoPhillips and Government of Timor-Leste agree on terms for sale of interest in Greater Sunrise Fields
Perth/Dili –The Government of Timor-Leste and ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) have reached agreement on terms for the sale of ConocoPhillips’ 30 percent interest in the Greater Sunrise Fields.
The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste congratulated the Parties on successfully reaching an agreement which benefits both Parties and is expected to allow Timor-Leste to proceed with discussions with the other Greater Sunrise Joint Venture members on the future development of the Greater Sunrise resources.
Timor-Leste’s Special Representative, Xanana Gusmão, stated that “ConocoPhillips and the other Joint Venture partners have always known Timor-Leste’s preference for the development of Greater Sunrise through a pipeline to Beaço on the South Coast of Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste looks forward to working with the other joint venture members to successfully develop the project.”
The Government’s purchase of ConocoPhillips’ interest is conditional on receiving funding approval from the Timor-Leste Council of Ministers and National Parliament, as well as regulatory approvals and partner pre-emption rights.
ConocoPhillips’ Australia-West President, Chris Wilson, said the decision to sell the interest followed an approach from the Timor-Leste Government.
“We respect the Timor-Leste Government’s preference to develop the Sunrise fields through a new greenfield, Timor-Leste based LNG facility. While we differ on the proposed economic development option, we recognise the importance of Sunrise to the Nation of Timor-Leste and hope the sale of our interest to the Government allows them to progress their vision for the development of Sunrise,” Mr Wilson said.
“We are proud of our important contribution to Timor-Leste’s development and our relationship with the Government, which will continue through our interest in, and operatorship of, the Bayu-Undan Field. The negotiated sale price of approximately $US350 million essentially recovers the costs incurred by ConocoPhillips in connection with the Greater Sunrise Fields.”
The sale transaction covers ConocoPhillips’ interest in Production Sharing Contracts 03-19 and 03-20 and Retention Leases NT/RL2 and NT/RL4. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019.
The Sunrise and Troubadour gas and condensate fields, collectively known as the Greater Sunrise fields, are located approximately 150 kilometres south east of Timor-Leste and 450 kilometres north west of Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory.
The current Sunrise joint venture partners are Woodside (operator) with a 33.4% interest, ConocoPhillips (30%), Shell (26.6%) and Osaka Gas (10%).
The Government of Timor-Leste was advised by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Miranda & Associados and ConocoPhillips was advised by Herbert Smith Freehills.
Media Contacts
Michael Marren
+61 8 636 32644 (office)
+61 477 739 478 (mobile/cell)
Michael.A.Marren@conocophillips.com
Jose Lobato (for Tetum or Portuguese speaking media)
+61 8 6363 4001 (office)
+61 670 723 085 (mobile/cell)
jose.lobato@conocophillips.com
Agio Pereira
+670 77045002
pcm.gov.tl@mail.com
govtlmedia@gmail.com
www.timor-leste.gov.tl
02 of Outubro of 2018Government expresses its solidarity with IndonesiaPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Government expresses its solidarity with Indonesia
On behalf of the people of Timor-Leste, the Government sends its condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the earthquake that culminated in a tsunami in Palu on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on Friday 28 September. The Government also expresses its solidarity with the Government and people of Indonesia, who are facing the effects of this catastrophe.
The Palu region is the closest and most affected by the earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.5 on the Richter scale, and by the tsunami triggered by this strong earthquake.
The region was partially devastated by the earthquake and tsunami that followed, affecting hundreds of thousands of people and causing a great number of casualties, wounded and missing. Rescue teams are still searching for survivors.
The Government of Timor-Leste commends the efforts of the authorities in search and rescue actions in conditions of extreme difficulty. END
26 of September of 2018Meeting of the Council of Ministers of September 26st, 2018Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of September 26st, 2018
The Council of Ministers met in the Government Palace in Dili and analyzed the presentation of the Minister of State of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, regarding the state of play of the negotiations for the resolution of technical issues with a view to ratification of the Timor Sea Treaty.
Government members discussed issues relating to the state budget for 2019, following last week's approval of the fiscal limit of the budget and distribution made yesterday by the Ministry of Finance of the fiscal envelope of all ministerial lines. The acting Minister of Finance, Sara Lobo Brites, called on all Ministers to respect the fiscal limit approved in the budget planning of each Ministry.
The Council of Ministers also discussed the difficulties imposed by the duodecimal regime, namely the difficult situation regarding the supply of fuel for electricity, as the budget for fiscal year 2018 is still awaiting promulgation by the President of the Republic, Francisco Guterres Llo Olo.
Finally, the Minister for Legislative Reform and Parliamentary Affairs, Fidelis Magalhães, presented to the Council of Ministers information and results of the BNCTL General Assembly, of which the State is a shareholder. BNCTL's profits for the year 2017 were evaluated and the Bank's capitalization proposal for capital reinforcement was evaluated, allowing the BNCTL to be ready to face any financial situation and to further expand its products to become more attractive to the population. Also discussed was the proposal to allocate to the BNCTL the state real estate currently used by the Bank, so that they become BNCTL assets. ENDS
21 of September of 2018Meeting of the Council of Ministers of September 21st, 2018Approved:more
1 - Continuation of the duodecimal regime during the month of September
2 - Budget limit for fiscal year 2019
3 - Authorization to the Minister of Defense to sign the agreement between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Government of Japan
4 - Remuneration supplement for officials and agents of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport working on the implementation of national tests and exams
Analyzed
1 - Exchange agreement between the Government of the Democratic Republic of -Timor-Leste and the Government of Japan
2 - Report of Timor-Leste's exploratory support mission to the elections of November 18, 2018, in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau
