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Middle East, Pacific issues to be raised in trans-Tasman FM talks

Xinhua, March 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

Humanitarian and security issues will be on the agenda when the foreign ministers of New Zealand and Australia hold talks in Australia this week, New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said Monday.

McCully and Australian counterpart Julie Bishop would be holding the twice-yearly Foreign Ministers Consultations to exchange views across a range of foreign policy issues, McCully said in a statement.

"As well as taking stock of the Trans-Tasman relationship, we will discuss developments in the Pacific, including the post-Cyclone Winston recovery effort, and how New Zealand and Australia best assist Fiji," said McCully.

"We will look at our shared interests in Asia and the Middle East, and I plan to provide Minister Bishop with an update on developments in the United Nations Security Council," McCully said, referring to New Zealand's tenure of a temporary seat on the UN Security Council.

New Zealand and Australia are operating a joint train program at a base north of Baghdad to help the Iraqi military fight Islamic State insurgents. Endit