New Zealand PM announces visits of President Susilo
New Zealand PM announces visits of President Susilo
Associated Press, Wellington
New Zealand's prime minister on Monday announced coming visits by
the leaders of Indonesia, Malaysia and Bahrain, saying it was
important for her nation to step up dialogue with the Muslim
world.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said all three leaders scheduled to
visit in the next two weeks are "known to be moderate in their
views," adding that "New Zealand must work hard to maintain and
step up dialogue with leaders of countries in which there are
very significant Islamic populations."
She singled out Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,
the Muslim nation's first directly elected leader, as
representing a new era in Indonesian politics, with his
"impressive" commitment to reform and democratization.
Talks with Susilo, who is expected to visit April 2-3, would
focus on Southeast Asian and Asia-Pacific regional issues
including security, and development of the economic relationship
between New Zealand and Indonesia.
Clark said New Zealand's assistance to Indonesia to help with
the devastation caused by the Dec. 26 tsunami would also be
discussed.
The multimillion dollar aid package demonstrated that New
Zealand "wishes to be a good neighbor in times of crisis," she
said.
Indonesia's acceptance of that was partly behind Susilo's
decision to visit New Zealand following his recent state visit to
Australia, she added.
Welcoming the visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Prime Minister
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Clark said Malaysia "is a respected and
influential voice" in Asia.
New Zealand and Malaysia are expected soon to announce the
opening of negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement
following a study showing a trade deal would provide both nations
with significant economic gains.
Malaysia is New Zealand's tenth largest bilateral trading
partner, with annual merchandise trade worth more than 1 billion
New Zealand dollars (US$744 million).
Clark said Bahrain's Prime Minister Sheik Khalif Bin Salmon
Al-Khalifa, accompanied by his deputy and by senior economic,
finance and cultural officials, would visit to discuss trade,
education services, tourism and investment from March 28 to March
30.