The Ministry of Defense and Security organized a meeting between FALINTIL-Defense Forces of Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) and the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) on January 5, 2012, at the Díli Convention Center. The meeting aimed to prepare a joint plan for maintaining security during the Presidential and Parliamentary elections and the readiness to assume full responsibility for security in the country after the departure of the UN mission, still in 2012.

The Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Security, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, reminded the participants that the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste does not allow the PNTL and F-FDTL to engage in partisan struggles , thus guaranteeing its neutrality.

The Secretary of State for Security, Francisco Guterres, considered “the role of the F-FDTL and PNTL to be an important one to ensure stability in the country. Both institutions assume a major commitment which is to ensure security during the celebration of democracy that will take place in the upcoming months”.

The Secretary of State for Defense, Júlio Tomás Pinto, urged the two forces to maintain their role in accordance with the law and fulfill their mission, reflecting their neutrality towards society, to ensure an environment of stability and security in the country, especially during the 2012 elections.

Participating in the event were the Head of State, Dr. José Ramos-Horta, the Chief of the Executive, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, the Secretary of State for Security, Francisco Guterres, Secretary of State for Defense, Júlio Tomás Pinto, the Chief of Defense Force, Major-General Lere Anan Timur, the General Commander of PNTL, Commissioner Longuinhos Monteiro and officers of the F-FDTL and PNTL.