Boris Johnson to visit NZ later this month
Boris Johnson will be in New Zealand from July 23-25.
Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has confirmed media speculation that UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson will come to New Zealand later this month.
Mr Brownlee says Mr Johnson’s visit will be a chance to strengthen New Zealand’s relationship with the UK at a time when it is seeking to reshape its relationships around the world following Brexit.
“New Zealand and the United Kingdom enjoy a close and enduring friendship,” Mr Brownlee says, adding the two countries share “extensive defence and security links, as well as significant business and investment ties.”
As well as this, New Zealand and the UK share a common interest in a range of international peace and security matters.
While in New Zealand, secretary Johnson will meet with Prime Minister Bill English and senior ministers, the leader of the opposition and participate in a ceremony to dedicate the United Kingdom memorial at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park.
Mr Johnson will be in New Zealand from July 23-25.
Mr Johnson’s visit comes not long after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited the country.
Although only in New Zealand for a matter of hours, Mr Tillerson’s trip to New Zealand made international headlines after he was greeted by a sea of middle fingers as he was driven around the capital.
His visit came just days after the US had revealed it would pull out of the Paris global climate change agreement.
Mr Tillerson defended the US’ position when talking to media.
“The United States has an extraordinary record of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, possibly unparalleled. Our greenhouse gas emissions are at levels last seen in the 1990s.
“That's been done with 50 million more energy consumers than we had in the '90s, with an economy that's twice as large. We're very proud of our record ... and that's been done without a Paris climate accord; it's been done without heavy regulation.”
Jason Walls
Fri, 14 Jul 2017
Fri, 14 Jul 2017
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Boris Johnson to visit NZ later this month
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