Foreign Minister Murray McCully has welcomed China’s announcement that it could support a Ross Sea region marine protected area (MPA).
“New Zealand has been working closely with the United States and all parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to develop an MPA that balances scientific, environmental and fishing interests,” Mr McCully says.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully will travel to New York this week to participate in a UN Security Council open debate on the Middle East.
“As the current President of the Security Council, Spain has announced that the Council’s quarterly public debate on the Middle East will this month be at Ministerial-level given the significance of recent developments in the region,” Mr McCully says.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced that New Zealand will invest $7.5 million in the expansion of the Scenic Matavai Resort in Niue.
“Tourism is the largest contributor to economic growth in Niue and the key to putting Niue on a path towards self-sufficiency,” Mr McCully says.
“The funding announced today will see the development of a further 20 rooms at the Matavai and conference facilities. This builds on New Zealand’s total investment of $18 million since 2009 to support the development on Niue’s tourism sector.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced that New Zealand will invest $2.4 million over two years to help improve aviation safety in eight Pacific countries.
“The Pacific Aeronautical Charting and Procedures Project aims to enhance safety at selected airfields in the Pacific and make commercial air travel in the region safer,” Mr McCully says.
“The project will allow for more accurate surveying of runways, while also checking the landscape for obstacles that could encroach on the flight paths of aircraft.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully will lead a delegation to Niue this week to attend World War One commemorations hosted by the Government of Niue.
“In October 1915, 150 men from Niue left to join the New Zealand expeditionary force to fight in World War One,” Mr McCully says.
“The Niuean soldiers served with the Māori Pioneer Battalion on the Western Front before returning home.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully has condemned the terrorist attack carried out in downtown Ankara, which has led to a significant death toll with hundreds more wounded.
“This is an abhorrent attack on innocent people carrying out a peaceful demonstration," Mr McCully says.
"Our thoughts are with all those affected and our deepest condolences go out to the families of those who have lost their lives.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced senior diplomat Carl Worker as New Zealand’s new Ambassador for Counter Terrorism.
“The decision to appoint an Ambassador for Counter Terrorism was announced by the Prime Minister late last year, and reflects the importance we attach to countering the evolving international threat presented ISIL and other terrorist groups,” Mr McCully says.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced diplomat Vicki Poole as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Timor-Leste.
“New Zealand has a close friendship with Timor-Leste and we have been proud to work alongside Timor-Leste throughout its nation building process,” Mr McCully says.
“New Zealand provides support through our aid programme for Timor-Leste’s sustainable economic development, education and skills training, and the security and justice sectors.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced diplomat Ben King as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Thailand.
“Thailand is our tenth largest trading partner, with total trade of over $2.4 billion last year,” Mr McCully says.
“Thailand is the second largest and fourth richest ASEAN economy, and a gateway to mainland ASEAN. It is a long-standing and important partner for us in the wider region, where we have worked together in many fields.
Mr President,
New Zealand welcomes the Security Council debate on the resolution of conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa.
And we welcome the fact that it involves foreign ministers from so many members of this Council.
But we do not welcome the fact that today we will pass no resolution, not even agree a Presidential statement; we will not stop the fighting.
Sadly this is symbolic of the dysfunction and mistrust that has characterized this Council's performance on Syria and too many of the conflicts that rage in the region.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully departs tomorrow for Brussels, and the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
“The EU is New Zealand’s 3rd largest trading partner with two-way trade totalling more than $19.5 billion,” Mr McCully says.
“While in Brussels I will meet with senior EU representatives, to discuss New Zealand’s aspirations for a free trade agreement with the EU, the refugee crisis which is currently facing the region, and our joint partnership for Pacific development.
Todd McClay, Minister of Revenue and State Owned Enterprises, and Associate Minister of Trade and Foreign Affairs, departs this Sunday for a six-day visit to China, including Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, Mr McClay will meet with the Secretary of Commerce and New Zealand exporters to discuss the opportunities for strengthening the trade and investment relationship.
From Hong Kong, Mr McClay will travel to Beijing, where he will meet with senior Chinese leadership, including Vice-Premier Wang Yang and a counterpart in China's Ministry of Commerce.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully has welcomed the Sri Lankan Government’s announcement it will establish a Truth & Reconciliation Commission to help the country recover from its decades-long civil war.
“New Zealand welcomes the measures announced by the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Mangala Samaraweera at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva this week,” Mr McCully says.
“They constitute a significant step towards genuine reconciliation and political devolution for Sri Lankans, something New Zealand has been encouraging.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced that the Government intends to open a new Embassy in Bogota, Colombia.
“Colombia is an increasingly important partner for New Zealand, as it is strategically at the top of South America and has one of the strongest performing economies in the region,” Mr McCully says.
“With a population of over 46 million and solid growth there are numerous opportunities for New Zealand businesses in Colombia, particularly in areas such as education and investment.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully has welcomed the upcoming official visit to New Zealand this weekend by Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se.
“Minister Yun’s visit is an important opportunity to strengthen New Zealand’s relationship with South Korea, one of our most valuable partners in the Asian region,” Mr McCully says.
“Korea is New Zealand’s sixth-largest trade partner with total two-way goods trade of $4 billion in 2014. It is also a significant source of tourists and international students.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced a further $4.5 million to help refugees displaced by fighting in Syria, bringing New Zealand’s total humanitarian contribution to the refugee crisis to $20 million.
“To date New Zealand has provided $15.5 million to support people affected by on-going violence in Syria and Iraq,” Mr McCully says.
Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee and Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced that this year’s Tropic twilight Exercise will be conducted in the northern Cook Islands atolls of Penrhyn and Manihiki.
“Tropic Twilight is a regular joint exercise in the Pacific involving the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), and other countries with an interest in the region,” Mr Brownlee says.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced diplomat Raylene Liufalani as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Argentina.
“Argentina is an important partner for New Zealand in Latin America, and the resumption of direct flights to Buenos Aires later this year will serve to further strengthen ties between our two countries,” Mr McCully says.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has announced that New Zealand will commit $14.5 million over five years to help develop Timor-Leste’s coffee and cocoa industry.
“Coffee is Timor-Leste’s largest export after oil and gas, but productivity issues mean the sector performs significantly below its potential,” Mr McCully says.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully has welcomed the announcement that the Auditor-General will look at the Saudi Food Security Partnership and Agrihub project.
“We have said from the outset that the Auditor-General is entitled to scrutinise any spending of public money, whenever she chooses, and we welcome her decision to carry out an inquiry into the Saudi Food Security Partnership," Mr McCully says.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has expressed condolences to the victims and families affected by the explosion at Erawan Shrine in Central Bangkok last night (midnight Monday NZT).
“There are reports that at least 19 people have been killed and many more injured in what appears to be a deliberate attack on an area frequented by tourists," Mr McCully says.
“Our thoughts are with the people of Thailand as they come to terms with the senseless loss of innocent life, the victims, and the families of those injured or killed in the blast.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully travels to Cambodia and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic this week for a range of meetings to mark the 40th anniversary of New Zealand’s formal partnership with ASEAN.
“New Zealand is developing an increasingly diverse relationship with the Mekong region, including Cambodia and Lao PDR,” Mr McCully says
