Government has officially presented the electronic passport of Timor-Leste
The Government, through the Ministry of Justice, presented the electronic passport of Timor-Leste, on May 5th, 2017, at the building of the National Directorate for Registration and Notary, of the Ministry of Justice, in Dili.
This event was led by the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, accompanied by the Minister of Justice, Ivo Valente.
Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão stated that: “The presentation of the electronic passport is made on an important historical date, because 18 years ago, on May 5th, the ‘New York Agreements’ paved the way for our Popular Consultation . On this historic day, we take an important new step for Timor-Leste and for the Ministry of Justice.”
The Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment praised the initiative, saying that “We pride ourselves with this change and I ask the Timorese to have a little patience, as in the next two to three weeks the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation is going to contact all countries so that they may insert the data in their systems.”
In turn, the Minister of Justice, Ivo Valente, stated that this biometric passport which embeds digital facial image and identification, uses a modern and internationally recognized system. The personal data is inserted in a microchip, as it is a safe and reliable way to protect the user’s data, using a standard created by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The Minister of Justice added that all Timorese should feel proud, because, as other countries, Timor-Leste also has advanced processes, with high-level technology. Therefore, he said, let’s change our manual passports for electronic passports for our trips abroad.
The Minister Ivo Valente congratulated all for the success of this passport, due to a joint effort with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Immigration Service of the Ministry of the Interior, the National Development Agency and the Ministry of Planning and Strategic Investment.
Regarding the delay in issuing passports, the Minister Ivo Valente explained that the transition to electronic passports is creating difficulties in responding to the public, because the Government reduced the production of manual passports, causing many people to be concerned. He apologised to all citizens for the inconvenience.
The electronic passports are being produced in four models: ordinary, diplomatic, service and for foreigners.
Regarding the human resources used in this process, the Ministry of Justice started with a minimum number of officials. Thus, the Ministry had to train its staff in the National Directorate of Registrations and Notary in Information Technology (computer systems) and on how to use the equipment.
The new system for passport production has the capacity to respond to 100 to 200 requests per day.
During the launch ceremony electronic passports were issued to the representatives of sovereign bodies, members of the Sixth Constitutional Government, Veterans, Media workers and to members of the Civil Society that were present.
Among those present were Members of Parliament, representatives of the Court of Appeal, the General Prosecutors’ Office, the Civil Service Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission, ambassadors in Timor-Leste, Directors of the Ministry of Justice and local authorities.
The new electronic passport will boost the Timor-Leste’s safety and security and help to reduce processing times during international travel.
