On Sunday night, Keating touched down in Timor-Leste for a series of security meetings before continuing to Perth, Australia, to meet with maritime and security leaders.

 “This is a good opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest and reaffirm New Zealand’s commitment to Timor-Leste’s security and prosperity,” Lieutenant General Keating told Scoop.

“New Zealand has a long history of defence co-operation with Timor-Leste, and a considerable number of current and former NZDF personnel were deployed to the country in various rotations to help ensure stability after the independence referendum from Indonesia in 1999.”

“The NZDF continues to maintain a small presence in Timor-Leste, with two personnel currently deployed as part of the Mutual Assistance Programme, providing logistics training and strategic advice to the Timor-Leste Defence Force.”

Keating met with the Commander of the Timor-Leste Defence Force, Major General Lere Anan Timur, and calls on Prime Minister Dr Rui Maria de Araujo and President Taur Matan Ruak.