Press release

Foreign Secretary welcomes New Zealand Prime Minister

Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed New Zealand Prime Minister John Key to London on 18 September.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Foreign Secretary William Hague with John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand in London, 18 September 2013.

Mr Key is on an official Guest of Government visit to the United Kingdom, meeting the Prime Minister and other central government representatives as well as promoting UK-New Zealand trade.

During their meeting Mr Hague and Mr Key discussed the strong ties between the two countries and looked at ways to deepen these in the future, especially in areas of international security and commerce.

皇冠体育app Foreign Secretary said:

鈥淚t was a pleasure to see Prime Minister Key here today. New Zealand is one of our closest allies. We enjoy strong historical ties, an ever deepening trade relationship and partnerships across our educational and cultural institutions.

鈥淒uring our meeting today, we discussed the many issues that unite us, from global security to human rights. As fellow members of the Commonwealth we focused on the opportunities and challenges presented by this year鈥檚 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting and agreed on the vital importance of promoting human rights in Sri Lanka.

鈥淲e also spoke about next week鈥檚 UN General Assembly, where I will be hosting an event on my initiative to prevent sexual violence in conflict. I asked Mr Key for his support and thanked him for the contribution New Zealand has already made鈥�.

During his visit Mr Key will also lay a wreath at the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park. 皇冠体育app wreath will commemorate the New Zealand airmen that served in Bomber Command, as well as the servicemen and women that fell during the Second World War. Thousands lost their lives in the conflict, which decimated populations across Europe.

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Published 18 September 2013