PH, New Zealand Convene 5th Foreign Ministry Consultations
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asia and Pacific Affairs Meynardo LB. Montealegre and New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry Divisional Manager for South and South East Asia Andrew Needs during the fifth Philippines–New Zealand Foreign Ministry Consultations in Wellington, New Zealand on 03 December 2018. (Wellington PE photo)
WELLINGTON 11 December 2018 — The Philippines and New Zealand convened the fifth Philippines–New Zealand Foreign Ministry Consultations in Wellington, New Zealand on 03 December 2018.
Led by Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asia and Pacific Affairs Meynardo LB. Montealegre and New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry’s Divisional Manager for South and South East Asia Division Andrew Needs, the consultations discussed wide range of bilateral issues.
The consultations reinforced the commitment of the Philippines and New Zealand to further strengthen relations. Both countries also agreed to enhance cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, defense and security, people-to-people exchange, agriculture, education, energy, labor and science, and technology.
The Philippines and New Zealand also discussed significant regional and global developments, and how both countries could cooperate in harnessing the opportunities that these developments present.
New Zealand is home to more than 40,000 Filipino migrants, students, and workers engaged in various areas of New Zealand labor sector. Their contributions to the New Zealand society and economy are highly valued by the New Zealand government and its citizens.
The sixth Philippines-New Zealand Foreign Ministry Consultations is expected to be convened in the Philippines at a mutually agreeable date.
Both countries share more than five decades of diplomatic relations, marked by robust political and economic cooperation and warm people-to-people ties. END
For more information, visit www.wellingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philembassy.org.nz or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinNZ/
Delegates from the Philippines and New Zealand during the consultations in Wellington, New Zealand on 03 December 2018. (Wellington PE photo)