WELLINGTON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand government ministers will be looking to build economic links with Timor-Leste during a visit by the Pacific island nation's Prime Minister Rui Araujo this week.
The two countries had a special bond, New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English said on Monday.
"New Zealand has supported Timor-Leste since its decision to seek independence in 1999. More than 4,000 New Zealand Defence Force, police and other personnel have served there in the past 18 years," said English.
"The relationship with New Zealand is now evolving as Timor-Leste's economy and society grow and develop," he said.
"I'm looking forward to talking to Dr Araújo about how we can best build connections in trade and business, development and also international relations."
Araújo would be accompanied by Timor-Leste Minister of Foreign Affairs Hernâni Coelho and Minister of the Interior Longuinhos Monteiro.
Coelho would meet with New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully, while Monteiro would hold talks with senior representatives of New Zealand Police on New Zealand's longstanding community policing support to Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste gained independence from Indonesia in 2002.
