Meeting of the Council of Ministers on April 26th, 2023
Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on April 26th, 2023
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili, and approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, concerning the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) National Commission of Timor-Leste.
This Decree-Law aims to replace the previous UNESCO National Commission in Timor-Leste with a new central public service of Direct State Administration, dependent on the member of the Government responsible for the area of culture. This Decree-Law also aims to define a new organisation of the internal organic structure and to enable greater Government involvement in the functioning and activity of this commission.
The mission of the UNESCO National Commission in Timor-Leste is to support and develop, within the national territory, UNESCO's programs and achievements by engaging citizens and national organisations in improving mutual understanding between peoples and promoting international justice, peace, and security.
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The draft Government Decree, presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, to Regulate the Protection Measures for Timorese Citizens Abroad was also approved.
This Government Decree regulates the measures for protecting Timorese citizens abroad, foreseen in Decree-Law no. 77/2022 of October 26th, allowing its application by public administration services.
Although the fundamental legal framework necessary for protecting Timorese abroad has already been approved, it is essential to proceed with the approval of the legal norms that will operationalise the concrete implementation of the referred protection measures.
According to the Government Decree, measures to protect Timorese citizens abroad include assisting in the event of natural disasters or severe disturbances to public order, the repatriation of Timorese citizens abroad, emergency support for accommodation, emergency food support and support in cases of arrest or detention.
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The Council of Ministers decided to approve, as per the project presented by the acting Minister of Defence, the exceptional procedure for military recruitment beginning in May 2023 and determined that the military personnel to be incorporated in this procedure will be 87 recruits; this number being distributed as follows: a) 29 military personnel for Headquarters; b) 10 military personnel for the Land Component; c) 12 military personnel for the Naval Component; d) 6 military personnel for the Light Air Component; e) 5 military personnel for the Comandante Nicolau Lobato Training Centre; f) 18 military personnel for the Services Support Unit; g) 4 military personnel for the Military Police Unit; h) 3 military personnel for the FALINTIL Unit.
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The Council of Ministers has decided, as per the project presented by the Minister of Finance, to authorise expenditure in the amount of US$ 21.1 million for the acquisition of shares of Timor Telecom, S.A., and credits thereon, from TPT - Telecomunicações Públicas de Timor, S.A., PT Participated, SGPS, S.A., and Portugal Telecom International Finance BV.
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Lastly, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation gave a presentation to the Council of Ministers on the state of play of the full accession process of Timor-Leste in ASEAN. END
