McCully to boost NZ-Iran relations in weekend visit
The foreign minister will sign an agricultural accord and reinstate a formal talks forum.
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Hawke’s Bay
Foreign Minister Murray McCully is stepping up diplomatic relations with Iran as that country emerges into the global economy.
Western nations have removed sanctions as a result of the nuclear arms deal that puts a 10-year moratorium on Iran’s weapons programme.
Mr McCully will be in Tehran this weekend to meet his Iranian equivalent, Mohammad Javad Zarif, who visited New Zealand earlier this year. Mr McCully will also meet other Iranian ministers.
“Our discussions will cover a range of Middle East regional security issues and trade and economic relations between our two countries,” he says.
Mr McCully will sign an Agricultural Cooperation Arrangement with Iran that will support exchanges between farmers and producers.
He will also announce the reinstatement of formal talks between Iran and New Zealand – known as the Political and Economic Cooperation Commission.
Mr McCully will then travel to Istanbul to attend the UN World Humanitarian Summit.
“The summit is a chance for the international community to discuss our collective response to armed conflict and natural disasters,” he says.
“We will be particularly focused on highlighting the specific humanitarian needs of the Pacific region.” Mr McCully says.
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Nevil Gibson
Fri, 20 May 2016
Fri, 20 May 2016
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McCully to boost NZ-Iran relations in weekend visit
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