Meeting of the Council of Ministers on April 24th, 2024
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 April 24h, 2024
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Law Proposal for legislative authorisation on setting the age limit for the employment relationship of civil servants and administrative agents, presented by the acting Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Adérito Hugo da Costa.
With this draft Law Proposal, the Government wants the National Parliament to authorise it to set the age limit as a cause for terminating the employment relationship in the Civil Service.
This draft Law Proposal aims to establish the necessary mechanisms to rejuvenate professionals in the national Public Administration, making it possible to bring new skills into the civil service. Renewing civil service staff is an essential measure to improve the services provided to the population.
*****
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution on the donation of US$150,000 to the Amílcar Cabral Foundation in Cape Verde to support the organisation of the Centenary Commemorations of the birth of Amílcar Cabral, which will take place on September 12th, 2024.
Amílcar Cabral was a revolutionary leader from Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde. He founded and led the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC – acronym in Portuguese). He played an essential role in organising armed resistance against colonialism and defending the unification of the Guinean and Cape Verdean peoples in the quest for freedom and an egalitarian society.
The Amílcar Cabral Foundation invited Timor-Leste to join the celebrations, which highlighted the bonds of friendship, solidarity, and mutual support between the peoples.
Recognising the importance of Amílcar Cabral's legacy, the Government of Timor-Leste wishes to honour his memory and his commitment to the struggle against colonialism, for freedom, and the self-determination of peoples. This donation reflects Timor-Leste's constitutional commitment to the principles of national independence and the right of peoples to self-determination, independence, and cooperation between peoples.
*****
The draft Decree-Law for the first amendment to the Special Procurement Regime for His Holiness the Pope's visit and the implementation of the 2024 General State Budget, presented by the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, was also approved.
This draft Decree-Law adjusts current legal procedures to ensure efficient and swift preparation for the papal visit to Timor-Leste, which has been confirmed for September 9th to 11th, 2024.
The current legal framework has formalities that are not suited to the urgency of the preparations, and administrative flexibility is necessary for the successful organisation of the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis. It is therefore proposed that the procurement processes be simplified by adopting measures that guarantee agility in the processes and clarifying the rules for executing expenditure to allow adequate circulation of resources between the entities involved in organising the papal visit. This project thus aims to ensure that Timor-Leste can organise an event of great magnitude and international importance with the necessary effectiveness, efficiency and speed.
*****
Lastly, the Council of Ministers approved a vote of congratulations to the Portuguese people on the 50th anniversary of the Revolution of April 25th, 1974 and for the example of the peaceful reconquest of freedom and democracy.
The Carnation Revolution, as it is known, brought down a dictatorial and oppressive regime in Portugal and helped lay the foundations for Timor-Leste's independence as the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on 28 November 1975.
The Portuguese people's dream of freedom and democracy allowed all the Timorese people to dream and believe that freedom, democracy, and independence were close at hand. Today, as in 1974, we build our futures fraternally together.
Timor-Leste and its people are, therefore, celebrating the 50th anniversary of April 25th with Portugal and the Portuguese. With this in mind, the Council of Ministers has also decided to grant a day off tomorrow, April 25th, for the entire day. END
