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Dili, May 26th, 2015
Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of May 26th, 2015
The Council of Ministers met this Tuesday, May 26th, 2015, in of the Council of Ministers’ meeting room, at the Government Palace in Díli, for its ninth ordinary meeting. This meeting takes place on the day that the Sixth Constitutional Government completes 100 days of governance. At the beginning of the meeting, the Prime Minister highlighted the significance of this date, congratulating the members of Government, and also informed that the report on the first 100 days of governance, delivered by each ministry is being compiled and will soon be made available.
At the meeting, the Council of Ministers approved:
1. Decree-Law approving the Organic Law of the Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice, in accordance with the Organic Law of the Sixth Constitutional Government, is the central Government body responsible for drafting, implementation, coordination and evaluation of policy, as defined and approved by the Council of Ministers, in the area of justice, land and property and human rights.
This act lays down the services and agencies required to comply with the objectives set out in the Government’s Program in the area of justice.
Highlighted is the integration, in its structure, of the Criminal Investigation Scientific Police (CISP), recently created, and the exclusion of the National Committee on the Rights of the Child, which is transferred to the authority of the Minister of State, Coordinating Minister of Social Affairs.
2. Law Proposal on Migration and Asylum
Due to its geographical location and increasing economic development, Timor-Leste has increasingly taken the role of host country, and is, therefore, essential to develop and consolidate public policies in the area of migration.
The objectives of this law proposal is to regulate the conditions and procedures for entry, stay, exit and expulsion of foreigners and stateless persons from the national territory as well as the conditions of entry and exit of nationals, without prejudice to special regimes foreseen in treaties, international conventions or protocols to which the country is party or might sign in the future.
From among the proposals for amendment advanced by this diploma, which will revoke the previous Law no. 9/2003, of 15 October, it is important to note the increase of the definitions that assist in the interpretation and application of the law; the reformulation of the concept of a authorization of special stay, making it more clear what is the range of foreigners who may benefit from this regime; the redefinition of the range of visas that can be granted by Timor-Leste, highlighting the introduction of a courtesy visa, business visa, and visa for temporary stay of dependent; the creation of clearer rules for the extension of visas and for obtaining a residence permit; the clarification of the procedure for obtaining asylum; the increase of fees and fines; the criminalization of breach of the ban of entry and of convenience marriage.
This law proposal will be submitted to the National Parliament with a request of priority and urgency.
3. Approval of the Cooperation Agreement between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Portuguese Republic, aiming at the creation of the Portuguese School of Díli
This agreement, which cannot be ratified by reason of change of Government, has now been approved again. It is expected to be dispatched to the National Parliament in the coming days.
Signed in 2002, under the Framework Agreement for Cooperation existing between Portugal and Timor-Leste, the agreement was signed on the basis of mutual interest for the development of cooperation in the fields of education, culture and language, with the purpose of recognizing the qualifications acquired in the Portuguese School of Díli, aiming at the continuation of studies, both in Timor-Leste and in Portugal.
The Council of Ministers also analysed:
1. Presentation of the Financial Report for 2014 of Timor Gap, E. P.
Timor Gap, E.P. formally handed over to the Government the company’s Financial Report for the year 2014 as well as the audit performed by independent company Deloitte, in accordance with the law and with international standards of financial reporting.
The President of Timor Gap, Francisco Monteiro, presented to the Council of Ministers, the detailed data about the main activities developed in 2014, in particular the research in Timor Sea and resources review of Greater Sunrise (upstream); the business development and project management (including downstream); the management of the several Tasi Mane projects; the corporate and professional development, with special emphasis on the training of human resources; and the exploration project of Greater Sunrise.
The documents will be delivered to the Court of Auditors still within this month and a Report will also be made available in June.