IV CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT
SECRETARIAT OF STATE OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
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PRESS RELEASE
Council of Ministers Meeting September 21, 2011
The Council of Ministers met this Wednesday, September 21, 2011, in the Council of Ministers Meeting Room, at the Government Palace, in Díli, and approved:
1. Government Decree that approves the National Health Council
The Council of Ministers approved the National Health Council as an organ of consultation of the Government in the formulation and implementation of the National Health Policy, where public and private entities interested in the functioning of health care providers are represented.
This Decree also provides the composition, powers and operation of the National Health Council.
2. Government Resolution that approves the authorized total staff for FALINTIL/ \F-FDTL by 2020
The “Force 2020″ Study projected around 3000 total staff, divided proportionally for the Terrestrial, Light Naval and Support Services and F-FDTL Command, leaving out the components of Education and Training, Air Support, as well as the Military Police Unit and Special Operations.
Therefore, the Council of Ministers approved the maximum total staff allowable to the F-FDTL, by 2020, of 3,600 men/women, distributed as follows:
- F-FDTL Command (Headquarters): 174 (includes 13 staff for external engagements);
- Land Force Component: 1343 (includes 120 staff for the Special Operations Unit);
- Light Naval Force Component (LNFC): 989;
- Service Support Component (SSC): 560;
- Education and Training Component (ETC): 250;
- Air Support Component (ASC): 120
- Military Police (MP): 164
The Council of Ministers also analyzed:
1. Environment Policy
The Minister of Economy and Development and the Secretary of State for Environment presented the foundation of the Environmental Policy, which is a basis for guiding principles that define the environmental objectives that the Government intends to achieve.
This Environmental Policy will allows to create the necessary mechanisms for the management of the country’s environment and natural resources in order to be able to achieve a sustainable economic development.
2. Environment Basic Law
The Council of Ministers was briefed on the Base Law for Environment, taking into account the importance of creating an environmental legal system capable of defining the principles and rules of conservation and environmental protection, and considering that this and natural resources represent an important source of wealth and support for the economic growth and survival of communities.
The Base Law on Environment is also important towards international responsibilities assumed by the State.
3. Decree-Law that regulates the use of Fertilizers
The Council of Ministers discussed the Decree Law on the use of Fertilizers, presented by the Ministry of Agriculture, to ensure the national food safety program and ensure environmental sustainability.
4. Decree-Law that regulates the use of Pesticides
The Ministry of Agriculture presented a draft of the Decree Law on the use of Pesticides for which there is a statute that regulates the import, manufacture, sale and distribution in Timor-Leste so as not to pose a hazard to health and the environment.