Meeting of the Council of Ministers on January 8th, 2025
Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on January 8th, 2025
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, regarding the granting of a donation of two million dollars to the Republic of Vanuatu.
The 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Port Vila on December 17th, 2024, resulting in the loss of 23 lives, more than 200 injured and severe damage to essential infrastructure, including the Central Hospital and two water reservoirs. Recognizing the urgency of supporting the affected populations and rebuilding the devastated areas, this decision reflects the constitutional commitment of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to solidarity and cooperation between peoples.
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The Council of Ministers also approved three draft Resolutions to be submitted to the National Parliament, presented by the Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, regarding the ratification of the following agreements:
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1. Air Services Agreements with the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Cambodia
These agreements aim to strengthen the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries, as well as contributing to the development of the air transport sector. By promoting commercial exchanges and increasing regular air connections, the agreements aim to foster economic growth and boost tourism. The agreements are also in line with Timor-Leste's accession process as a full member of ASEAN and with the organization's “Open Skies” policy.
2. Visa Waiver Agreement with the Lao People's Democratic Republic
This agreement establishes visa-free travel for holders of ordinary passports, allowing entry and stays of up to 30 days. The measure aims to strengthen the good relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, as well as facilitating tourist exchanges and complying with ASEAN instruments regarding the reciprocal recognition of passports.
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The Council of Ministers also approved the following projects presented by the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral:
1. Decree-Law regulating the operation of the One Stop Shop and the Municipal Portal, to strengthen administrative decentralization and the modernization of public services in Timor-Leste. The One-Stop Shop will be implemented in all municipalities and on the island of Ataúro, with face-to-face, mobile and telephone service, with the aim of simplifying administrative procedures, improving efficiency and promoting proximity between the Public Administration and citizens. The mobile service will be made available in remote areas through adapted itinerant structures.
The law also consolidates and expands the functionalities of the Municipal Portal as a central platform for access to information and electronic public services, promoting transparency and civic participation. Among the innovations are the mandatory publication of information on municipal management, the provision of administrative services online and the strengthening of social control tools.
These measures aim to improve the quality of public services, reduce operating costs and foster more efficient and participatory local governance, in line with constitutional principles and the government's decentralization strategy.
2. Decree-Law that makes the sixth amendment to Decree-Law no. 8/2013, of June 26th, on the Legal Regime of the National Villages Development Program (PNDS).
In the context of the intensification of the administrative decentralization process, it has become necessary to adjust the legal framework of the PNDS, especially regarding to the sources of funding for expenditure associated with its implementation. This revision aims to ensure greater clarity and suitability to the new administrative and financial requirements imposed by decentralization. At the same time, this amendment clarifies provisions of the original law which, during the implementation phase, gave rise to doubts or divergent interpretations, thus ensuring more effective implementation in line with the program's objectives.
3. Government Decree on the Organization of the Technical Secretariat of the National Villages Development Program.
In compliance with the provisions of Decree-Law no. 49/2023, of August 18th, which approved the organizational structure of the Ministry of State Administration, this decree adapts the framework of responsibilities of the Technical Secretariat of the (PNDS Portuguese acronyms) to the new legal framework of the Municipal Authorities, recommending that the former play a supporting role to the latter in the local implementation of the PNDS. From an organic point of view, the number of services provided for in this decree maintains the existing ones, so there will be no increase in expenditure because of the expansion in the number of services of the Technical Secretariat of the National Villages Development Program.
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Also approved was a draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of Defense, Donaciano do Rosário Gomes, on the International Cooperation Policy Framework. This framework is a structuring and guiding document for the establishment of strategic partnerships in international military cooperation, through which a set of guidelines and lines of action is promoted with the aim of defining forms and rules of cooperation to optimize the capabilities held by the F-FDTL. Within the scope of International Cooperation in the Field of Defense, the creation of the International Cooperation Policy Coordination Office is also promoted, under the direct responsibility of the member of the Government responsible for the area of Defense, with the mission of managing and coordinating all cooperation dossiers with friendly countries.
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The Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, gave a presentation on the preparation of the Legislative Program of the 9th Government. This program will be based on the proposals submitted by the members of the Council of Ministers. Ministers and constitute a forecast of the government's legislative interventions, organized by sectors and priorities, for the period up to 2025.
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Lastly, the Minister of Finance, Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, made a presentation to the Council of Ministers on the rules for implementing the General State Budget for 2025, established by Decree-Law No. 43/2024 of December 20th. END
