Peter Hamilton will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Germany, Minister of Foreign Affairs Phil Goff announced today. He will take up the position early 2003, replacing Mr Win Cochrane.

Germany is New Zealand’s second most important economic partner in Europe, and New Zealand’s sixth largest bilateral trading partner.

“It is our top global market for apples, kiwifruit and venison, our second largest European market for sheepmeat, and our second largest source of tourists from Europe. As such, it is a very important partner for us.

“Germany and New Zealand enjoy excellent bilateral relations. These are enhanced by growing scientific and technical cooperation underpinned by the 1978 Science and Technical Cooperation Agreement, and people-to-people links through the reciprocal Working Holiday Scheme signed in October 2000. High-level exchanges, most recently the visit of President Rau to New Zealand in May 2001, underscore the importance of the relationship.

“Given its geographical position and political and economic ranking within the European Union, Germany has a pivotal role to play in the eastward expansion of the EU. As the largest net contributor to the EU, Germany is pushing for rapid reform of agricultural subsidies under the Common Agricultural Policy, which is of particular interest to New Zealand. This will be an important issue for Mr Hamilton to follow.

“New Zealand and Germany share a common perspective on many international issues, including support of the Kyoto Protocol and whale conservation. It is important that we maintain clear and open dialogue on these and other shared concerns,” Mr Goff said.

Mr Hamilton is currently Director of the Trade and Economic Analysis Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He is a former High Commissioner to Samoa, and has also served in Suva, Ottawa and Geneva.

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