Hon Phil Goff
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Media Statement

24 July, 2000

Goff to attend ASEAN Regional Forum

Foreign Minister Phil Goff leaves tomorrow for Bangkok to attend the 7th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting and the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC).

Mr Goff will be away from 25 July to 1 August.

"The ARF is the only regional forum for the discussion of security issues. It's an opportunity we take each year to demonstrate that New Zealand is an active and interested player.

"This time, New Zealand and Australia will brief the other Foreign Ministers on the situation in the South Pacific.

"North Korea is participating in the ARF for the first time and I will be meeting the North Korean Foreign Minister to discuss the possibility of establishing diplomatic relations.

Mr Goff will also hold bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov (to discuss bilateral issues, human rights, Chechnya) and with US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright (South Pacific, Middle East) who will both be at the meeting.

After Bangkok, Mr Goff will visit the Philippines, 29-31 July, where talks are scheduled with Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Secretaries of Justice and Defence, the Human Rights Commission and the President of the Asian Development Bank.

Mr Goff returns to New Zealand Tuesday evening, 1 August.

ENDS

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