New study to strengthen NZ-US relations
Senior diplomats in Washington DC have today announced a study aimed at strengthening New Zealand's relationship with the United States.The study, Pacific Partners: The Future of US-New Zealand Relations, is co-sponsored by the NZ-US Council and will be u
Senior diplomats in Washington DC have today announced a study aimed at strengthening New Zealand's relationship with the United States.
The study, Pacific Partners: The Future of US-New Zealand Relations, is co-sponsored by the NZ-US Council and will be undertaken by US think-tank Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and New Zealand Ambassador and former prime minister Mike Moore attended the launch of the study in the US overnight.
NZ-US Council chairman and former prime minister Jim Bolger said the study would offer focus for future relationship building.
The study would look at current bilateral activity and the potential for growth in areas such as trade and investment, security, science, technology, education, socio-cultural and transnational issues.
Preliminary findings from the study were expected to be available for discussion at a seminar in October.
New Zealand and the US shared fundamental values and interests, Mr Bolger said.
"With the relationship having entered a new stage of its development in recent years, a study of this type will be both timely and relevant to politicians, officials, business leaders and other stakeholders."
The New Zealand advisory board members for the study were Mr Bolger, former foreign minister and Commonwealth secretary-general Sir Don McKinnon, former foreign minister Russell Marshall, former trade minister Jim Sutton and former ambassador to Washington John Wood.
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