Virgílio Smith, of CNRT, said friendship and solidarity were the hallmark of the relationship, with plans to cooperate with each other around CNRT’s youth organisation in the future.

Smith said the relationship was also about strengthening “regional” ties.

Effendy Syahputra, chief of Perindo, who was visiting Timor-Leste Monday, said his party also sought to learn from CNRT’s election success.

“We came looking at experiences (of CNRT). We are a new party, and if we win the upcoming election we want to learn how to lead the government,” Syahputra said.

Since 1999, Indonesia has had a multi-party political system. In the two legislative elections since the toppling of New Order regime, no political party has managed to win an overall majority of seats, resulting in coalition governments.

Indonesian media magnate Hary Tanoesoedibjo formed Perindo in February 2015.