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NZ+Aus Foreign Ministers: Fiji, Trade, Afghanistan
Scoop Audio: The New Zealand and Australian Foreign Ministers Discuss Fiji, Trade and Afghanistan
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- Scoop Audio: The New Zealand and Australian Foreign Ministers Discuss Fiji, Trade and Afghanistan
Foreign Minister Murray McCully and visiting Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith held a joint press conference today, at the conclusion of their six-monthly bilateral discussions.
They answered questions about Fiji, NZ trade with the state of New South Wales, and NZ-Australian commitments in Afghanistan.
McCully described the New Zealand-Australian relationship as “in good heart”, and both Ministers reiterated their fondness for one another.
They both chastised the United Nations for its continued use of Fijian peacekeepers. The UN earlier indicated it could exclude the island country’s military contribution if it continued to ignore democratic process.
Foreign Minister Smith rejected suggestions Australian soldiers could fill the shortfall created if Fiji was excluded.
Instead he encouraged New Zealand journalists to push the UN to justify its lack of action on the peacekeeper issue.
McCully said the review of New Zealand’s contribution to Afghanistan was due out in the next few weeks.
And Minister Smith said he was happy with NZ discussing NSWs trade policy directly with the state in question, and made no commitment to intervene.
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