Rt Hon Winston Peters
Minister of Foreign Affairs
21 December 2005
Media Release
Peters appoints new Ambassador to Russia
New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Russia will be career diplomat Chris Elder, Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced
today.
“Russia’s political weight and its considerable economic potential make it an important partner for New Zealand.
“It is a major country, spanning Europe and Asia. It has a global reach and growing interest in the Asia Pacific region.
“New Zealand’s relations with Russia are friendly and constructive.
“This year the Governor General visited Moscow and St Petersburg and two Royal New Zealand Navy ships had a very
successful goodwill visit to Vladivostock.
“Last month, at the APEC ministerial meeting in South Korea, the Russian Foreign Minister and I signed an Antarctic
cooperation statement allowing for increased political, scientific, ecological and environmental consultation within the
context of the Antarctic Treaty System.
“Both New Zealand and Russia are committed to deepening bilateral relations and there is potential for growth in the
trade and economic area.
“New Zealand was one of the first countries to conclude its WTO access negotiations with Russia, which is expected to
join the WTO soon,” Mr Peters said.
Mr Elder has had postings to London, Tokyo and Beijing. He was posted to the latter twice, most recently as Ambassador
from 1993-1998.
His last assignment was as Ambassador to Indonesia, and prior to that he was political and security deputy secretary at
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington.
He will replace Stuart Prior in March.
ENDS