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New Zealand defence minister to discuss Afghanistan, Asia-Pacific security during foreign trip

Xinhua, April 22, 2015 Adjust font size:

New Zealand Defense Minister Gerry Brownlee will be discussing links with NATO and the United Kingdom as well as operations in Afghanistan during a trip to Europe and Asia-Pacific nations over the next week.

Brownlee said Wednesday he would be New Zealand's official representative at the Anzac (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) Day commemorations at First World War Western Front sites in Flanders, Belgium.

He would hold talks with NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels and travel to London for talks with UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon.

"The United Kingdom is an important partner to New Zealand and defense links are a key part of this relationship," Brownlee said in a statement.

"New Zealand also has a strong defense relationship with NATO, underpinned by our efforts in Afghanistan, but also through our contributions to NATO counter-piracy operations."

Brownlee would then travel on to Singapore for a meeting with Minister of Defense Ng Eng Hen.

"This will be my first meeting with Minister Ng and I will be interested in the perspective he can give on regional security issues," said Brownlee.

He would then attend the second South Pacific Defence Ministers Meeting in Papua New Guinea.

"I am looking forward to the opportunity to engage with regional defense ministers as the South Pacific is a key area of focus for New Zealand. The regional response to the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Pam on Vanuatu and Tuvalu is a great example of how we should be working together," he said.

"This forum allows us to continue to look at ways we can improve coordination and cooperation on defense issues." Endi