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New Zealand, Australian FMs discuss Asia, Middle East issues

Xinhua, October 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

The foreign ministers of New Zealand and Australia met in New Zealand Friday for discussions on a range of foreign policy issues.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully and Australian counterpart Julie Bishop met for the second of their twice-yearly Foreign Ministers Consultations.

"Our talks will focus on bilateral issues ahead of the annual Australia-New Zealand Leaders Meeting early next year, as well as our ongoing work together in the Pacific," McCully said in a statement.

"We will also discuss our shared interests in Asia and the Middle East, and New Zealand's continuing work on global security issues at UN Security Council," McCully said.

Bishop said in a statement that the two would discuss expanding the bilateral relationship, including the "reinvigoration" of the bilateral single economic market.

"We will discuss enhancing our cooperation to create a more stable, prosperous and sustainable Pacific region, as well as global security issues including counter terrorism strategies and the Middle East," said Bishop.

The defense forces of the two countries are jointly running a training camp near Baghdad for Iraqi troops facing Islamic State insurgents. Endit