Rt Hon Winston Peters - Minister of Foreign Affairs

20 February 2006

Peters to host Australian Foreign Minister in Wellington

Foreign Minister Winston Peters will host a visit later this week by Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.

Mr Downer is coming to Wellington for the six-monthly New Zealand and Australian Foreign Ministers' consultations.

"The relationship between New Zealand and Australia is as close a relationship between countries as can be found anywhere in the world", said Mr Peters.

"There regular consultations between the two Ministers are an important opportunity to address key aspects of the bilateral relationship, as well as regional and global issues of concern to our countries."

"It will be useful to discuss a wide range of issues with Mr Downer, including our deepening engagement with Asia, developments in counter terrorism, and our ongoing joint efforts to support good governance and stability in the Pacific", said Mr Peters.

The Foreign Ministers' consultations have been an established feature of the government-government relationship for over fifteen years. The venue alternates between the two countries.

Mr Downer arrives mid-afternoon on Thursday 23 February, and will leave the following day.

ENDS

© Scoop Media