Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Deputy Secretary Asia and Americas Group, Mark Sinclair, virtually held the 41st New Zealand-Japan Foreign Policy Consultations on 2 September with his Japanese counterpart Senior Deputy Minister SUZUKI Hiroshi.
The discussions provided a valuable opportunity to discuss the bilateral relationship, including cooperation in the COVID-19 response. Both sides reaffirmed their desire to strengthen the bilateral Strategic Cooperative Partnership, and to cooperate more closely in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Japan is a close friend of New Zealand and one of our oldest relationships in Asia. We share a strong commitment to global peace and stability, multilateralism and the rule of law. The 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022 will provide an opportunity to celebrate our friendship and look to the future.