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Iraq military deployment looms as New Zealand, Australian leaders meet

Xinhua, February 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott will make his first official visit to New Zealand this week when the two countries discuss a joint military contribution to the fight against Islamic State insurgents in Iraq.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said Monday that the two leaders would hold their annual leaders meeting during the visit and discuss a range of political, economic, social and security issues.

These would include advancing the bilateral single economic market, their engagement in regional trade initiatives and cooperation on global defense and security issues.

"We will also mark significant milestones, including the centenary of the First World War and the formation of the ANZACs ( Australian and New Zealand Army Corps), and Australia and New Zealand's co-hosting of the Cricket World Cup," Key said in a statement.

The two prime ministers and ministers from both sides would participate in the Australia-New Zealand Leadership Forum on Friday, which would bring together Australian and New Zealand business and government leaders.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop would meet with New Zealand counterpart Murray McCully, and Australian Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb and New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser would lead the annual ministerial meeting on the bilateral single market.

The Fairfax news organization reported on Monday that Key would make a ministerial statement to Parliament on Tuesday about a New Zealand military deployment to Iraq.

Key also confirmed he would brief the Iraqi and Australian governments overnight, said the report.

Last week, New Zealand Defense Minister Gerry Brownlee held talks in Melbourne with Australian counterpart Kevin Andrews on a range of regional and international security issues, including the fight against ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant).

Iraqi Foreign Minister Dr Ibrahim al-Ja'afari officially requested New Zealand military assistance in the fight against ISIL on a visit to Auckland earlier this month during talks with Brownlee, as well as McCully and Key.

The government announced on Feb. 10 that New Zealand troops had begun contingency training for a deployment to Iraq.

Key has repeatedly ruled out New Zealand troops being involved in combat, and said that if troops were sent they would only train Iraqi forces. Endi