Goff names new Ambassador to the Philippines
New Zealand' s next Ambassador to the Philippines will be career diplomat Rob Moore-Jones
New Zealand' s next Ambassador to the Philippines will be career diplomat Rob Moore-Jones, Foreign Minister Phil Goff
announced today.
"The Philippines is an important partner for New Zealand in South East Asia. Our bilateral relations are warm and we
have regular exchanges on economic, political and security matters in regional groups such as ASEAN and APEC, and the
Philippines is our ASEAN dialogue co-ordinator this year," Mr Goff said.
The Philippines is New Zealand's 13th largest export market, with trade totalling $614 million in 2003. New Zealand
exports there rose nearly five percent in value last year, led by dairy and wood products.
New Zealand's development assistance to the Philippines totals $3.3 million annually, aimed primarily at supporting
natural resources management, good governance, indigenous issues, and peace and development work on the island of
Mindanao.
Mr Moore-Jones is currently deputy director of North Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. His
previous overseas postings were to Manila, Washington and the Cook Islands, where he was High Commissioner from
1998-2001.
Mr Moore-Jones takes up his position in May.
ENDS