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What's New 
EU Troika: Foreign Minister level with New Zealand
18.04.2006
Plassnik: " New Zealand - Neighbour in values if not in geography"
On 18 April there was a meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers Troika with New Zealand in Vienna, at which Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and the EU Commissioner for Foreign Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, took part.
(click on image to enlarge)
The main topic of conversation was relations between the EU and New Zealand . "In spite of the geographic distance, New Zealand is a neighbour to the European Union through our shared value system and closely connected to us in many central points. We share engagement and commitment to effective multilateralism, to the role of the United Nations, to protection of human rights and to a sustainable environmental policy", said Plassnik, pointing out that New Zealand and the EU have traditionally cooperated closely in these areas.
The talks also concerned regional development in the Asia-Pacific region and especially in the South Pacific. " New Zealand is a central actor in the South Pacific and is involved in strengthening regional integration in the Asia-Pacific region. The EU would like to develop its political and economic involvement in the South Pacific. The goal is to contribute to greater stability, economic development and responsible government in the region. In our involvement we will liaise even more closely with New Zealand in future", Plassnik declared.
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