Pakistan, New Zealand review entire spectrum of bilateral relations

Pakistan and New Zealand on Monday reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations with a view to explore ways and means to further broaden ties between the two countries. According to Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria, Pakistan and New Zealand delegations met for the third round of Pakistan-New Zealand Bilateral Political Consultations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in which issues like UN Security Council reform and Pakistan's membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) also came under discussion.
Javed Jalil Khattak, Director General, East Asia & Pacific Division (EAP) led the Pakistan delegation while the New Zealand side was led by Stephen Harris, Divisional Manager (South Asia).
Other members of delegation included Eamonn O'Shaughnessy, New Zealand High Commissioner to Pakistan (resident in Tehran) and Richard Prendergast, Senior Foreign Policy Adviser (South Asia).
"The Bilateral Political Consultations covered the entire spectrum of relations between the two countries, including high-level exchanges, economic and commercial ties, defence co-operation, Parliamentary Friendship Groups and consular matters," the spokesperson said.
He said that the third round of bilateral political consultations offered an opportunity to review the relations and explore ways and means to further broaden them.
He stated that Pakistan briefed the New Zealand side on the regional and international matters, including Afghanistan, Iran, China, ASEAN and the Middle East. The New Zealand delegation briefed on regional situation in the Pacific Region, he added.
"International issues of mutual interest including terrorism, UN Security Council Reform and Pakistan's membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) also came under discussion," he added.
It was agreed in principle that the 4th Round of Pakistan-New Zealand Bilateral Political Consultations will be held in the second half of 2018 in Wellington.
The New Zealand delegation also paid a courtesy call on Syed Zulfiqar Gardezi, Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific). Pakistan-New Zealand bilateral relations and situation in South Asian region, particularly, India and the Kashmir issue, were discussed.
During its visit, the delegation will hold the second meeting of Pakistan-New Zealand Joint Trade Committee (JTC) on trade and investment related matters at the Ministry of Commerce on January 31, 2017 (today).