WELLINGTON, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs Fletcher Tabuteau will engage in a range of bilateral meetings and visit New Zealand development projects during his time in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu this week.
Tabuteau's visit aims to continue to advance bilateral relationships with Pacific countries, an official statement said on Monday.
While in the Solomon Islands, Tabuteau will officially open New Zealand's new High Commission in the capital, Honiara.
"The new High Commission building represents New Zealand's strong and enduring friendship with the Solomon Islands," Tabuteau said in the statement.
"Connections between our two countries go back more than 150 years, and we intend to continue working in partnership with the government and people of the Solomon Islands for many more decades to come," he said.
Opening the new building will provide an opportunity to emphasize New Zealand's long-term commitment to development in the Solomon Islands, he added.
Tabuteau will also spend a day in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
"New Zealand's relationship with Vanuatu is strong across a number of areas such as labor mobility, regional cooperation, security and development," Tabuteau said.
