The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adaljiza Magno, as the European Development Fund (EDF) National Authorizing Officer, and the European Union Ambassador, Andrew Jacobs, organized a Policies Dialogue related to European Union budget support programs, with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of State Administration. The event took place on July 23rd, 2020, in the Ministry of Finance Auditorium, in Dili.
The Government of Timor-Leste annually receives financial support from the European Union (EU) under the European Development Fund. On July 2nd, 2020, the Government received a total amount of USD$ 7.6 million, from the UE, as part of the implementation of strategic reforms in Public Finance Management, Nutrition, Deconcentration, and Decentralization.
In order to assess progress in implementing policies in the three sectors, to identify obstacles and to listen the opinions of different stakeholders, including civil society, three dialogues took place: one on Public Finance Management, led by the Minister of Finance, Fernando Hanjam, one dialogue on nutrition, led by the Minister of Health, Odete Maria Freitas Belo, and one dialogue on deconcentration and decentralization, chaired by the Minister of State Administration, Miguel Pereira de Carvalho.
The event led to a debate of ideas on sectoral policies to promote reforms for sustainable development, for greater efficiency, integrity, transparency, responsibility, and, above all, for the improvement of livelihoods and services provided to all citizens, in line with the National Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030.
In the opening remarks, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation pointed out: “As National Authorizing Officer, I recognize the support that has been given by the European Union, under the EDF”, “which shows that the EU recognizes and trusts our Public Finance Management System, which was been built and strengthened in close cooperation between the Government and Development Partners. Even so, we must also assume that there are still gaps and challenges to be faced”.
Andrew Jacobs declared that “this political dialogue that is taking place today, has been an important opportunity to evaluate the progress of reforms in the three sectors linked to the European Union budget support”. The attribution of this support to Timor-Leste is the recognition of the EU’s trust in Timor-Leste’s government systems and the maturity of the partnership between Timor-Leste and the EU. Budget support funds are allocated when there is progress in the implementation of the government’s reform policies. The annual indicators of the reforms that trigger the support are previously agreed between Timor-Leste and the EU, and only after that delivered directly to the Treasury account and become indistinguishable from the rest of the Government’s budget. Like the rest of the state budget, this support is subject to National Parliament and Chamber of Auditors supervision and verification.
Also participated in the event the Vice Minister of Finance, Sara Lobo Brites, the Vice Minister of Health, Bonifácio Maukoli dos Reis, the Vice Minister of State Administration, Lino de Jesus Torrezão, and the Ambassador of Portugal, José Pedro Machado Vieira.