Media Release
FA199 - 23 December 2002
Biannual Talks Reaffirm Our Close Relations With New Zealand
I visited New Zealand from 20 to 22 December for talks with the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Phil Goff. These biannual talks reflect the closeness and importance of the trans-Tasman relationship. The meeting was held at Lake Taupo.
The discussions covered bilateral relations, the war against terrorism, and global and regional issues. Mr Goff thanked Australia for the assistance we offered New Zealanders at the time of the Bali bombings. I expressed my appreciation for the assistance of the New Zealand Government in placing those people granted refugee status while on Nauru and Manus Island. This cooperation is a foundation stone of the trans-Tasman relationship.
Next year is the 20th anniversary of the CER, which has been one of the world’s most successful trade agreements with both countries gaining very substantial benefits from it. We will commemorate this great link by publishing the documents that were originally the basis of negotiation for a CER. This is the first time we have undertaken a joint publication of this kind.
I also briefed Mr Goff on my visit to Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Samoa and discussed other regional issues. We share common concerns to strengthen development and security in our immediate neighbourhood and we appreciate the very close cooperation with New Zealand over a number of difficult issues in the South Pacific – including Bougainville where we both participate in the Peace Monitoring Group
On global issues, we discussed the war on terrorism, the situation in Iraq and the work being done under UNMOVIC, Afghanistan and Operation Enduring Freedom as well as the regional dimensions in Indonesia and other locations. We also talked about the question of illegal migration, the very close cooperation we have in combating the trans-national criminal organisations behind people smuggling, and ways of further advancing that cooperation at the Bali II conference next year.
Media inquiries: Chris Kenny (Ministerial) +61 02 6277 7500 / Lyndall
Sachs (Departmental) +61 02 6261 1555
Local Date:
Tuesday, 22-May-2012 07:15:10 EST
