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.