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Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

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Government Decree

Luto Nacional em Homenagem a Sua Excelência Dr. Francisco Guterres, Presidente da República Democrática de Timor-Leste 2017-2022

Francisco Guterres, mais conhecido por “Lú Olo”, nasceu no dia 7 de setembro de 1954, em Ossú, Município de Viqueque e faleceu no dia 21 de junho de 2026, na Malásia.

O seu percurso político está profundamente ligado à luta pela independência de Timor-Leste. Ainda durante a administração portuguesa do território, integrou movimentos nacionalistas.

Após a proclamação unilateral da independência, em 28 de novembro de 1975, e a subsequente invasão indonésia, Lú Olo integrou a resistência nacional. Durante os anos de ocupação, desempenhou diversas funções de liderança política no movimento de resistência pela libertação nacional, tornando-se uma das figuras influentes da luta pela libertação nacional.

Após a realização do referendo a 30 de agosto de 1999, foi eleito deputado à Assembleia Constituinte e seu Presidente, e posteriormente tornou-se o primeiro Presidente do Parlamento Nacional, cargo que exerceu entre 2002 e 2007.

No ano de 2017 foi eleito Presidente da República de Timor-Leste, tendo assumindo funções a 20 de maio desse ano até 2022.

Assim,

O Governo decreta, ao abrigo dos n.os 1 e 2 do artigo 41.o da Lei

n.o 4/2024, de 3 de julho, o seguinte:

Artigo 1.º

É decretado Luto Nacional em todo o território nacional, em sinal de pesar pela morte do Dr. Francisco Guterres Lú Olo, ex-Presidente da República Democrática de Timor-Leste.

Artigo 2.º

O período de Luto Nacional tem início às 15.00 horas do dia 22 de junho e termina às 24.00 horas do dia 28 de junho.

Artigo 3.º

1. Durante o período de Luto Nacional referido no artigo anterior, a Bandeira Nacional deve ser mantida a meio-mastro ou meia-adriça, nos termos do artigo 13.o da Lei n.o 2/2007, de 18 de janeiro.

2. A situação prevista no número anterior deve ser cumprida em todos os edifícios públicos, incluindo embaixadas, consulados e outras representações do Estado no estran-geiro, bem como nas embarcações do Estado.

Artigo 4.º

O presente diploma entra em vigor com a sua publicação.

Aprovado em Conselho de Ministros em 22 de junho de 2026.

O Primeiro-Ministro, em exercício

Mariano Assanami Sabino Lopes

 

From June 15^th to 20^th, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão paid an official visit to the Russian Federation, during which he attended the summit in Kazan marking the 35th anniversary of relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Russian Federation. The visit included meetings between ASEAN leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as bilateral meetings and visits to academic, cultural, and historical institutions. 

Timor-Leste’s participation in the summit was particularly significant, as it marked the country’s first attendance at a commemorative summit with one of ASEAN’s dialogue partners as a full member of ASEAN. The summit brought together the leaders of ASEAN member states, the President of the Russian Federation, and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn to address issues related to regional and international security, trade and investment, energy, education, science and technology, health, connectivity, and cultural cooperation.

During the summit, the leaders adopted the 2026 Kazan Declaration “ASEAN–Russian Federation: Unity in Diversity—35 Years Together,” two joint declarations on cooperation in energy and culture, and the 2026–2030 Action Plan for implementing the ASEAN–Russian Federation Strategic Partnership. These documents set out guidelines for deepening cooperation between the two sides over the next five years.

On the sidelines of the summit, the Prime Minister met with the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation across the political, economic, trade, educational, and humanitarian fields.

During the meeting, Vladimir Putin congratulated Timor-Leste on its full accession to ASEAN and stated that Russia considers Timor-Leste a promising partner in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Our two countries have been engaged in a constructive political dialogue, and we will do everything we can to further this process,” said the Russian president.

Vladimir Putin also expressed interest in deepening cooperation in the energy, mining, and tourism sectors, expanding trade, and strengthening humanitarian cooperation, including in science, education, and human resources development.

Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão thanked the Russian authorities for their hospitality and stated: “We value partnerships of cooperation that can help support our country and our region. This includes foreign investment from Russia, which will be very welcome in our country. We face a shortage of jobs and human resources, and it was very important for us to learn at this conference that Russia is willing to help.”

The Head of Government also expressed Timor-Leste’s intention to establish a diplomatic mission in Moscow in the future and expressed interest in hosting a Russian Federation embassy in Dili. The two countries also began preliminary discussions on various bilateral agreements to deepen relations.

During his stay in Kazan, the Prime Minister also met Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan; attended official events organised by Russian authorities; and visited the Kazan Universal Exhibition Centre, Kazan Federal University, and the Cathedral of the Annunciation, all within the historic Kazan Kremlin complex.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Vice Prime Minister, the Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, and the Minister of Tourism and the Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas; and the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel.

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

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Press Release

Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 22nd, 2026

The Council of Ministers held an extraordinary session in the Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão Auditorium at the Ministry of Finance in Dili, approved a vote of condolence, and decided to declare a national mourning period following the death of Francisco Guterres “Lu Olo”, former President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, President of the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (FRETILIN), and one of the influential figures in the struggle for national liberation. National mourning will be observed throughout the country for seven days, from 3:00 p.m. on June 22^nd to 00:00 a.m. on June 28^th, with the national flag flown at half-mast at all public buildings, including embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic missions abroad, as well as on government vessels.

Francisco Guterres “Lu Olo” passed away at the age of 71 at Prince Court Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he was receiving intensive medical treatment. Born in Ossú, in the municipality of Viqueque, on September 7, 1954, he dedicated much of his life to the struggle for national liberation, holding various leadership roles in the resistance during the Indonesian occupation. Following the death of Konis Santana in 1998, he assumed political leadership of the Timorese resistance.

In 2001, he was elected President of the Constituent Assembly, which was responsible for drafting the Constitution of the Republic. He served as President of the National Parliament from 2002 to 2007 and was elected President of the Republic in 2017, a position he held until 2022.

Francisco Guterres “Lu Olo” was awarded the Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste in 2009, the Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste in 2022, and the Grand Collar of the Order of Infante D. Henrique, awarded by the Portuguese Republic in the same year, in recognition of his contribution to Timor-Leste and of the strengthening of relations between the two countries.

With this decision, the Government pays tribute to a prominent figure in the national liberation struggle and extends its deepest condolences to his wife, children, and other family members, to FRETILIN, and to the entire Timorese people, recognising the legacy of dedication and service that Francisco Guterres “Lu Olo” left in building a free, democratic, and sovereign Timor-Leste. END

10.30 am – Ministry of Finance

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Press Release

Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 19th, 2026

The Council of Ministers met in the Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão Auditorium at the Ministry of Finance in Dili and opened the meeting with a presentation by the Minister of Transportation and Communications, Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, on the progress of the development and expansion of President Nicolau Lobato International Airport.

The project, developed in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Government of Australia through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), involves modernising the runway, taxiways, aprons, control tower, passenger terminal, and various support facilities, with a revised total investment of approximately US$ 239 million.

An update was also provided on the progress of ongoing work, including the construction of the new taxiways, the apron, the coastal protection structures, and the technical facilities, as well as the main challenges in securing land and coordinating across the various components of the project. The overall schedule calls for the phased completion of the works by 2028, thereby enhancing the operational capacity and safety standards of the country’s main international airport.

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The Council of Ministers also reviewed a presentation by the Directorate-General of Lands and Properties on the status of the process for managing state-owned land and real estate, with a view to constructing embassies for certain ASEAN countries and to renovating the Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport. It was also reported that compensation for the land occupied and required for the construction of the embassies and the renovation of the international airport will be financed through the Infrastructure Fund.

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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution titled National Action Plan for the Manufacturing Industry, presented by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Filipus Nino Pereira.

The plan sets out a series of measures to promote the development of the manufacturing industry in Timor-Leste, with the aim of contributing to economic diversification, reducing dependence on oil and gas revenues, and strengthening the competitiveness of the private sector.

Among the priorities identified are the promotion and processing of domestic products with export potential—particularly agricultural, forestry, and fisheries products—the improvement of the business environment, the expansion of access to finance, and the attraction of private investment. To support the plan’s implementation, an inter-ministerial commission will be established to coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the measures.

This initiative aims to boost domestic production, create jobs, increase exports, and strengthen the integration of the Timorese economy with regional and international markets.

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The Council of Ministers decided to ratify the Agreement on Defence Cooperation between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Government of New Zealand, signed on June 11^th, 2026 by the Minister of Defence, Donaciano Costa Gomes, and the New Zealand Minister of Defence, Chris Penk.

The agreement establishes a framework for bilateral defence cooperation, with a particular focus on developing the armed forces, specifically in education, training, and other sectors considered priorities for strengthening the institutional capacities of FALINTIL—the Timor-Leste Defence Forces (F-FDTL).

With this ratification, the ties of cooperation between Timor-Leste and New Zealand in the defence sector are strengthened, establishing the conditions for the development of joint initiatives between the institutions of the two countries and for the strengthening of national capabilities in this area.

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The Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, gave a presentation on the current status of preparations for transferring the remains of Catholic prelates who served in Timor-Leste from Portugal to the Dili Cathedral, and on the construction of the Monument to Dom Martinho da Costa Lopes in Mehara, Tutuala, in the municipality of Lautém.

The schedule for the transfer was presented; it will begin with a Mass in Portugal in July and culminate in the funeral and memorial ceremonies in Timor-Leste in September, organised in coordination between the Government and the Catholic Church. The ceremonies will include the transfer of the remains of Bishop Jaime Garcia Goulart, Bishop José Joaquim Ribeiro, Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes, and Bishop Alberto Ricardo da Silva, as well as the dedication of the Monument and Garden of Remembrance honouring the prelates at the Dili Cathedral.

An update was also provided on the progress of the ongoing construction work at the Dili Cathedral and in Mehara, which is intended to house the remains and preserve the memory and legacy of these prelates, prominent figures in the history of the Catholic Church and in Timorese national identity.

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Lastly, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by Vice-Minister of Finance Regina de Jesus, regarding the extension and amendment of the Supplementary Agreement to the Partnership for Inclusive Prosperity (PROSIVU) Program, concluded between the Governments of Timor-Leste and Australia.

With this decision, the program’s extension through June 30th, 2030, is approved, in order to ensure the continuity of Australia’s technical and institutional support for the Government of Timor-Leste’s priority reforms in the areas of governance, public financial management, economic diversification, public administration reform, and institutional coordination. The approved amendments also update Australia’s financial contribution for the program’s second phase to an amount of up to 66 million Australian dollars and strengthen provisions related to the prevention of fraud and corruption, child protection, the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment, and environmental and social safeguards.

The Minister of Finance was also authorized to sign, on behalf of the Government of Timor-Leste, the documents necessary to formalize the amendments to the PROSIVU Supplementary Agreement. END