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New Zealand PM praises "mutual trust" bond with Australia

Xinhua, April 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key hailed the close ties with Australia Monday as he and Australian counterpart Tony Abbott attended the dedication of a memorial to mark the centenary of the two countries' involvement in an ill-fated First World War campaign.

In his second official visit to New Zealand in two months, Abbott joined Key in a ceremony to dedicate the Australian Memorial at the new Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington.

The park, designed specifically for the anniversary of the First World War, was officially opened on Saturday, marking the start of a week of events to mark the centenary of the Gallipoli landings on April 25.

April 25, or Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day, a public holiday in Australia and New Zealand, is often referred to as an event that helped to define the two nations.

"The Anzac spirit has been defined in many ways mateship, courage, integrity. But what it means in practice is that we can knuckle down and work together anywhere from a solid foundation of mutual trust," Key said in a public speech.

As well as working together in the world's conflict and disaster zones, the two nations were "there for each other too."

"Australia's support meant a great deal to us practically and emotionally when the devastating Canterbury earthquakes struck," said Key.

"New Zealand is equally resolved to go to Australia's aid, as we have done around terrible bush fires and floods in recent years, " he said.

"As well as brothers in arms, we are trade partners, tourists in each other's countries, we enjoy strong family connections and work together in many international forums to advance our mutual interests."

Key and Abbott would also jointly attend the Anzac Day services in Turkey on April 25.

A group of about half a dozen protestors stationed nearby chanted "Warmonger, warmonger" at Abbott, and were escorted away by the police before the ceremony's end, Radio New Zealand reported.

The armed forces of the two countries will begin a joint operation to train Iraqi troops in the fight against Islamic Insurgents next month. Endi