27 July 2005
New Zealand invited to East Asia Summit
Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today that New Zealand has been invited to participate in the inaugural East Asia
Summit in Kuala Lumpur in December.
"The EAS is an important new development in the region at a time when political and economic relationships in Asia are
undergoing rapid and potentially far-reaching changes. I am delighted that New Zealand has been invited to participate
in the inaugural summit at the end of the year," Helen Clark said.
"The summit was originally to involve leaders from the ten countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) and its North Asian neighbours China, Japan and Korea. Now ASEAN has invited participation by New Zealand,
Australia and India. The invitation was announced yesterday by Laotian Foreign Minister Somsavat Lengsavad.
"The government recognises that it is vital for New Zealand to engage wherever possible in the developing regional
structures. Roughly a third of New Zealand’s foreign trade, a fifth of inward investment, and a third of tourism
revenues are with or from Asian countries.
"The summit will offer further opportunities for deeper and more inclusive regional integration between New Zealand and
Asia.
"New Zealand’s participation in the EAS in December will cap a year of reinvigoration of New Zealand’s ties with the
region.
"Since I attended the ASEAN/Australia/New Zealand Summit in Laos last November, we have embarked on negotiations for an
ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand free trade arrangement, we are about to accede formally to the Treaty of Amity and
Cooperation of Southeast Asia, we have hosted visits by an unprecedented number of Southeast Asian leaders, and we have
implemented a series of initiatives to strengthen people to people links with the region.
"It is particularly satisfying that these positive developments in our relations with Southeast Asia are unfolding as we
celebrate the 30th anniversary of New Zealand’s Dialogue Partnership with ASEAN."
Note: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members are: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines,
Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.
ENDS