The 20 th ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue, held last week in Wellington, New
Zealand, discussed efforts to further ASEAN-New Zealand cooperation in
the ongoing Four Flagship Initiatives.
According to a press
release issued by ASEAN Secretariat on February 19, the two sides
assessed the outcomes and progress of the Initiatives, including the
ASEAN-New Zealand Scholarships Programme, Disaster Risk Management,
Young Business Leaders’ Initiative and Agricultural Diplomacy.
They also reviewed the progress of the Plan of Action to Implement the
Joint Declaration for ASEAN-New Zealand Comprehensive Partnership
(2010-2015).
Officials of ASEAN and New Zealand
exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international issues of
common concern as well as identified important potential areas for their
future cooperation, including education, business, connectivity and
other areas of functional cooperation under the Plan of Action.
ASEAN member states appreciated the efforts in implementing these
initiatives and looked forward to New Zealand ’s continued support
and assistance to ASEAN’s Community building and regional integration.
New Zealand pledged to assist ASEAN in fulfilling its common goals by 2015.
The dialogue was co-chaired by John Allen, CEO and Secretary of
Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand and Alounkeo Kittikhoun, Vice
Foreign Minister of Laos.
As the current chair of
ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue Relations, Laos will host the 21st ASEAN-New
Zealand Dialogue in early 2014.-VNA