Media Releases
04 of April of 2018Council of Ministers Meeting of 4th April 2018Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Seventh Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Council of Ministers Meeting of 4th April 2018
The Government met in the Government Palace, in Dili and approved the proposal for a Decree-Law that establishes the national ship registry of Timor-Leste, presented by the Vice Minister for Development of Transport and Communications, Inácio Freitas Moreira. This Decree-Law establishes the necessary rules for the registration of East Timorese vessels, granting them the privilege of flying the Timor-Leste flag, taking into consideration existing national legislation and international conventions on the Law of the Sea, ratified by Timor-Leste, guaranteeing the safety and the necessary technical requirements for its seaworthiness.
The Vice Minister for Development of Transport and Communications also submitted a proposal for a Decree-Law, approved by the Government, regarding the organization of ship inspection services, which aims to establish mechanisms for accidents prevention and maritime claims, promoting the safety of citizens using sea transport, cargo, the marine environment and the quality of services provided, following internationally agreed rules and standards.
The Council of Ministers approved the Government Resolution proposal, presented by the Minister of Planning and Finance, Rui Augusto Gomes, regarding the public subsidy to candidates of the 2017 Presidential Election, establishing the grant will be made directly from the Ministry of Planning and Finance.
Finally, the SACOM ENERGIA Group, a Timorese holding company, submitted to the Council of Ministers its project in Hera, consisting of two parts, a 600m jetty for the unloading of medium-sized ships, and a fuel storage terminal, which aims to increase the country’s energy capacity. This project, whose investment is entirely private, will be around the total amount of twelve million US dollars. ENDS
28 of March of 2018Council of Ministers Meeting of 28th March 2018Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Seventh Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Council of Ministers Meeting of 28th March 2018
The Government met in the Government Palace, in Dili, and approved the proposal for a Decree Law regarding the statute of the Murak-Rai Timor S.A. company, presented by the Minister of State and Minister for Mineral Resources, Mariano Assanami Sabino. Murak-Rai Timor, with a fully state-owned share capital, will be engaged in mining activities, including surveying, research, evaluation, development, exploitation and treatment, processing, refining and trading of mineral resources. The company will enable the State to operate in the mining sector, nationally and abroad, in equal circumstances with other private sector companies, assuring the mineral resources sector development, one of the main sources of national income, as well as increasing national citizens’ employability.
The Vice Minister for Development of Transport and Communications, Inácio Freitas Moreira, presented a proposal for a Decree-Law regarding the establishment of standards in the civil aviation security field, in order to protect civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference that may jeopardize civil aviation safety, in accordance with Annex 17 of the Chicago Convention on International Aviation, ratified by the Timorese State in 2004, through Parliament Resolution.12/2004, of 9 December. This legislative proposal was approved by the Ministers Council, with adjustments foreseeing the coordination between the Civil Aviation Authority and the responsible entity for Oé-cusse Ambeno Special Administrative Region (RAEOA) airport management. ENDS
26 of March of 2018Day Off on the 29th March 2018Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Seventh Constitutional Government
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Dili, 26th March 2018
Press Release
Day Off on the 29th March 2018
Pursuant to article 7, paragraph 6, point d) of Law no. 10/2005, of August 10, on National Holidays and Official Commemorative Dates, I determine the granting of a day-off on next March 29 to all the employees and agents of the ministries or their dependent services, as well as the institutes and integrated indirect State administration bodies, on the occasion of the Holy Friday celebration, 30th March. END
20 of March of 2018Council of Ministers Meeting of 20th March 2018Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Seventh Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Council of Ministers Meeting of 20th March 2018
The Government met in the Government Palace, in Dili, and approved the proposal for a Decree-Law that regulates the organization and operation of the Land and Property Commission, presented by the Minister of Justice, Maria Ângela Carrascalão. The legislative proposal aims to regulate the Land and Property Commission, created through the article 55 et seq. of Law no. 13/2017, of July 5th, which approved the Draft Law on the Ownership of Immovable Assets (Land Law). The Land and Property Commission, as a public legal person, enjoys administrative, financial and patrimonial autonomy, and its mission is to assess and resolve the cases in dispute regarding the recognition process and the attribution of property rights.
The Council of Ministers analyzed the proposal for a Government Resolution regarding the creation of the interministerial commission for the marketing and promotion campaign of Timor-Leste as a tourism destination, under the motto "Visit Timor-Leste 20-30", presented by the Minister of Tourism, Manuel Vong. The Government Resolution proposal aimed at defining the State institutions that participate in the campaign and support the creation of favorable conditions for the development of the strategies and methodology to be used in the country's promotion and marketing campaign as a tourist destination and tourist investment, taking into consideration the fact that tourism was elected as one of the main pillars of economic development in the country, with its promotion falling upon the responsibility of Government, the private sector, local communities and civil society. However, the proposal was not approved and it was agreed to set up a working group that will focus on the revision of the National Tourism Policy.
Considering that, pursuant to Government Resolution No. 2/2018 of January 24th, the Government of Timor-Leste authorized Peek Everest Mining, Lda to collect, export and test samples of manganese deposits located in the areas of Nipane and Passabe in the Special Administrative Region of Oé-cusse Ambeno, and having the existence of relevant manganese deposits in these areas been confirmed, the National Petroleum and Mineral Resources Authority (ANPM) presented to the Council of Ministers the proposal for a Government Resolution that defines the general terms and conditions of the manganese prospecting agreement between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (RDTL) and Peek Everest Mining, Lda., and the Minister of State and Minister of Mineral Resources, Mariano Assanami Sabino, for and on behalf of the RDTL, mandated for the negotiation of the concrete terms and conditions of said prospecting agreement. The Government Resolution was approved with amendments. ENDS
20 of March of 2018Additional Audit Requests to the TSAFC Audit ChamberPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Seventh Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Dili, 20th March 2018
Additional Audit Requests to the TSAFC Audit Chamber
This Tuesday, March 20th 2018, the Prime Minister, Marí Alkatiri, made a formal request for an audit of all financial management operations and accounts of the TIMOR-GAP – Timor Gás & Petróleo, E.P., Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo e Minerais Timor-Leste (ANPM) and Serviço Nacional de Cadastro de Timor-Leste, covering the period between 9th August 2012 and 14th September 2017, which corresponds to the previous legislature.
This request follows the previous requests sent on the 6th of February and on the 20th of February, to carry out audits to all financial management operations and accounts of the Special Administrative Region of Oé-Cusse Ambeno (SAROA), covering the period between 2016 and the present, and of the Treasury, the Ministry of Public Works, transport and Communications, AND, the Fund for Infrastructures, and the Ministry of Tourism, covering the period correspondent to the previous legislature.
In the letter addressed to the President of the Court of Appeal and the Administrative, Fiscal and Accounting High Court, Judge Deolindo Santos, the Prime Minister justified the audit requests by stating that "the country's management must be guided, at all times, by principles of rigor, transparency and accountability. Without exceptions. It is therefore necessary to ensure transparency in the Public Administration, promoting a culture of rigor and accountability in the management of the State's financial resources. " ENDS
- 14 of March of 2018Council of Ministers Meeting of 14th March 2018Approvedmore
1. Government Resolution Proposal for additional shares subscription of the RDTL
2. Government Resolution Proposal to strengthen coordination and resources in the ASEAN accession process
Analyzed
1. Government Resolution Proposal that establishes the Interministerial Commission for the organization of the "Business and Investment Forum" in Singapore
2. Government Resolution Proposal to strengthen the coordination and the resources in the process of negotiating land borders 
06 of March of 2018Australia and Timor-Leste sign historic Maritime Boundary TreatyJOINT MEDIA RELEASEmore
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia
The Hon Julie Bishop MP
Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister for Delimitation of Borders and Agent of the Conciliation Process, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
H.E. Agio Pereira
Chief Negotiatior for the council for the final delimitation of maritime boundaries, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão
6 March 2018
Australia and Timor-leste sign historic maritime boundary treaty
Today, in the presence of the UN Secretary-General, Australia and Timor-Leste signed an historic treaty establishing permanent maritime boundaries. This marks the beginning of a new era in the relationship between the two neighbours.
As well as maritime boundaries, the treaty establishes a framework to jointly develop the Greater Sunrise gas fields for the benefit of both countries. It also reflects a partnership between two countries which are bound by geography and deep ties of history and friendship.
The treaty was brokered by the Conciliation Commission established under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) – the first of its kind.
Both countries demonstrated good will and preparedness to compromise. Although the results of the conciliation process are non-binding, both countries negotiated in good faith in order to achieve a treaty that Timor‑Leste, Australia and the Commission believe is fair, balanced and consistent with international law.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said: “The outcome is a milestone for the parties and for UNCLOS and international law. It reinforces our respect for, and the importance of, the international rules-based order in resolving disputes.”
Timor-Leste’s Minister Agio Pereira said “This treaty marks an historic landmark for Timor-Leste, and for the friendship between Timor-Leste and Australia. Thanks to the strong commitment of the leadership of both countries to this conciliation process, we have arrived at an agreement on maritime boundaries that is equitable, and consistent with international law."
Timor-Leste’s Chief Negotiator Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao said: “History is made today as Timor-Leste signs a treaty on permanent maritime boundaries that establishes, for the first time, a fair border between our two countries, based on international law. We thank the Commission for their patience, wisdom and trust, and the Australian representatives for their constructive engagement and spirit of cooperation. This moment also provides hope for the peaceful resolution of disputes around the world.”
Australia and Timor-Leste both expressed their gratitude to the five eminent Commissioners of the United Nations Conciliation Commission, led by Chair H.E. Ambassador Peter Taksøe-Jensen, for their great dedication and professionalism in helping to forge an agreement.
05 of March of 2018Council of Ministers Meeting of 1st March 2018 and Council of Ministers Extraordinary Meeting of March 5th 2018Approved:more
1. Special Investment Agreement between the Timorese Government and Pelican Paradise Group Limited.
2. Decree-Law for the granting of an extraordinary payment to the members of the Electoral Administration Bodies in Timor-Leste.
3. Government Decree for the granting of an additional payment to officials of the National Press of Timor-Leste I. P.
4. Amendment to Government Decrees No. 19/2017 and 21/2017 on the organization and operation of polling centers and voting procedures, the vote-counting and the calculation of results within the country and abroad.
5. Decree-Law of the first amendment to Decree-Law No. 3/2016 of March 16th, which establishes the Statute of Municipal Administrations, Municipal Authorities and the interministerial Technical Group for Administrative Decentralization.
6. Addendum to the loan agreements concluded between Timor-Leste and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on the Tibar-Liquiça and Tibar-Gleno roads.
7. Repeal of Decree-Law No. 37/2016 of September 7th, which established the transitional regime for filling positions of management structure and positions within municipal authorities and municipal administrations during the administrative deconcentration phase.
8. Decree-Law on support to employers under the joining to the contributory social security scheme.
