DILI, 24 february 2023 (TATOLI)—The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEK), held the first quarterly meeting in 2023 with development partners.
The meeting was held by the Minister of Finance, Rui Gomes, and Deputy Minister of MNEK, Julião da Silva in the hall of the Ministry of Finance in Aitarak Laran Dili, this Friday.
The meeting was an event for the Government to update development partners on many key initiatives, including the launch of a good strategy for public finance management for 2022-2027 from Minister Rui Gomes and the European Union Ambassador in Timor-Leste, Marc Friedrich.
The meeting discussed the actualization of the 2023 parliamentary election from the National Election Supervisory Body -BAWASLU (CNE-Comição Naçional das Eleições), the period of change of government after the parliamentary election of Council Cabinet Minister, Minister Fidelis Magalhaes.
In addition, discussions were also held regarding Timor-Leste’s accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from the Director General for ASEAN Affairs, Millena Rangel. And also a discussion on disaster prevention from the Chair of the Civil Protection Authority, Ismael Babo, and the Nutrition program from the Secretariat of the SUN Movement, Cabinet of Prime Ministers, Filipe da Costa.
“This will be the first meeting in 2023 with development partners and the last meeting with the eighth constitutional government. In last year’s meeting with development partners, much has been achieved by strengthening relations between Timor-Leste and partner countries and their productivity,” said Minister Rui Gomes in his intervention during the meeting.
He said, so far development partners have assisted in various fields, including connectivity, provision of clean water and sanitation, education, health, agriculture, tourism, and social protection for change for the better.
Members of that government consider partners to be very important, in helping Timor-Leste, to achieve its global commitments on sustainable development goals, in particular eliminating poverty, providing good health as well as having a better life as well as quality education, gender equality, clean water, sanitation, and economic development in this country.
The Australian Deputy Ambassador in Timor Leste, Suzy Wilson-Uilelea, considered that the meeting was very important because it provided an opportunity for partners and the Government to meet, in order to be able to discuss existing deficiencies.
“Australia wishes for great prosperity for Timor-Leste in the future and we, as a unified nation, are committed to continuing cooperation with the current and future governments, in order to see together the future and economic development in this country,” Deputy Ambassador Suzy said.
He also added that after Timor-Leste accedes to ASEAN, Australia remains committed to assisting this country. Australia will adapt the system to meet Timor-Leste’s needs.
The meeting was attended by Members of Government, diplomatic agencies, development partners, representatives from inter Ministries, the private sector, and civil society organizations.
Journalist: Antónia Gusmao
Editor: Maria Auxiliadora
Translation: José De Sa
