New Zealand's relationship with the United States is at the highest point it has been in years, United States Vice President Joe Biden told Prime Minister John Key when they met in Washington today."It was very a warm and positive and good natured me
New Zealand's relationship with the United States is at the highest point it has been in years, United States Vice President Joe Biden told Prime Minister John Key when they met in Washington today.
"It was very a warm and positive and good natured meeting with the vice president," Mr Key told NZPA.
The pair talked for about 40 minutes ahead of a global nuclear summit.
"He was very generous with his time. We had a good amount of time to canvas a broad range of issues."
Trade, Afghanistan and nuclear proliferation were among topics they canvassed.
"I think it shows you the breadth of the relationship. He really made the point of saying that New Zealand's relationship with the United States is at the highest point it has been for quite some time and I think it's a sign of the commitment that his administration has to New Zealand."
Mr Biden said New Zealand was an "important partner" on non-proliferation, climate change and was also an important negotiating partner on the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership free trade grouping, which the United States is negotiating to join.
"New Zealand is an important partner in Afghanistan, on global issues ranging from nuclear non-proliferation to climate change, and on trade," Mr Biden's office said in a statement.
"The Vice President and Prime Minister Key also discussed how our two countries can co-operate further on regional and global matters and work closely together at the United Nations, including on issues such as Iran."
New Zealand is one of 47 nations taking part in the two-day summit in Washington, designed at forging agreements to keep loose nuclear materials out of the hands of extremist groups.
