Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 18th 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 June 18th 2025
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace, in Dili, and approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, for the second amendment to Decree-Law No. 47/2023, of August 23rd, which approves the organic law of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM).
Almost two years into the 9th Constitutional Government's term of office, it has become necessary to make certain adjustments to the organic law governing the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, based on the experience gained and toenhance the institution'sfunctioning.
This aligns the organic law with the autonomy of the Secretariat of State for Social Communication and establishes the Department of Technology and Information.This new service was not previously provided, but it had already become autonomous among the various services that comprise the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
This review is also aimed at updating and adjusting the powers of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, particularly those concerning the powers of other ministries, to improve coordination and prevent overlapping powers.
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The draft decree-law presented by the Minister of Finance, Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, for the first amendment to Decree-Law No. 1/2025 of January 8th, toextend the entry into force of the new Procurement and Public Contracts Code by six months, to January 1st, 2026, was also approved.
The measure aims to ensure the effective and coordinated entry into force of the new legal regime, establishing the necessary conditions for its full implementation and guaranteeing legal certainty, as well as compliance with the principles of public administration, namely legality, efficiency, and reasonableness.
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The Council of Ministers, upon the draft presented by the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, decided to approve Timor-Leste's proposal regardingoffers of access to ASEAN market goods within the context of the negotiation process for Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN.
The ASEAN market access offers submitted by Timor-Leste in the context of the full accession process are based on the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and consist of the submission of product lists with commitments to gradually reduce customs duties applied to goods imported from Member States. These offers aim to eliminate trade barriers and align the national customs regime with the rules of the ASEAN common market, while providing safeguards to protect sensitive sectors of domestic production.
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The draft Government Resolution presented by the Minister of the Interior, Francisco da Costa Guterres, to change the opening hours of border posts with the Republic of Indonesia was also approved.
The measure aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries and facilitate mobility in border areas, promoting the movement of people and goods while strengthening social, cultural, familial, and economic ties between communities on both sides of the border. This change also responds to a proposal put forward by the Indonesian National Border Management Authority and adheres to the principle of reciprocity between neighbouring nations.
With this decision, the border posts at Batugade, Salele, Sakato, and Oesilu will now operate from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a break between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., in accordance with the hours of the Indonesian posts at Motaain, Motamasin, Wini, and Napan.
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The Council of Ministers, following the draft presented by the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, Gastão Francisco de Sousa, has decided to authorise anexpenditure of US$16.47 million for the construction of new facilities for the Betano Polytechnic Institute (IPB) in the municipality of Manufahi.
This project is part of an integrated development plan outlined in the 2011–2030 National Strategic Development Plan, aiming primarily to enhance the quality of higher education and the training of qualified human resources in key areas of national development.
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Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and the President of the Timor-Leste Tourism Authority (ATTL, IP), Virgilio Smith, delivered a presentation on the IV Conference of Luso-Asian Communities, which is scheduled to take place from June 27th to 29th at the Dili Convention Centre.
Under the slogan “United in Diversity — Challenges and Opportunities of a Secular Legacy,” this fourth edition of the conference, also known as the Asian Portuguese Community Conference (APCC), will bring together representatives from Portuguese communities in Asia, specifically from Malacca (Malaysia), Macau, Sri Lanka, Goa (India), Myanmar, Togo and Flores (Indonesia), Thailand, and Timor-Leste.
The programme will feature official speeches, lectures, roundtables, cultural events, and documentary screenings. During the event, the Dili Declaration will also be presented and signed toestablish the Association of Luso-Asian Communities (APCA).
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Lastly, the Council of Ministers decided to grant full powers to the Minister of Transport and Communications, Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, to sign a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Indonesia, aimedat strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the field of transport training. END