MEDIA STATEMENT

Release Date: 28 September 2010

Parliamentarians Building International Links for New Zealand

A New Zealand parliamentary delegation led by Hon Pete Hodgson will meet with Italian parliamentarians in Rome, prior to their attendance at the 123rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, the Speaker, Dr The Rt Hon Lockwood Smith, has announced.

Hon Pete Hodgson, Labour, will be accompanied by Jacqui Dean MP, National, and David Clendon MP, Greens.

During the bilateral visit with the Italian Parliament, the delegation will meet with their parliamentary colleagues to discuss issues of mutual interest, including the global financial crisis, and environmental and energy issues. They will also use the opportunity to meet with participants in the Italian Antarctic Programme, learn about their work and discuss areas of cooperation with New Zealand.

“The commercial relationship with Italy is of significant value to New Zealand,” the Speaker said. “Italy is New Zealand’s fourth largest trading partner in Europe after the United Kingdom, Germany and France.

“There is a strong interest in working with Italian companies and business organisations to support development of trade in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Tourism is also a significant contributor to the relationship between our two countries and one of the topics for discussion with parliamentarians will be the 2011 Rugby World Cup,” he said.

During their Rome visit, the delegation will visit the Food and Agriculture Organisation, and meet high ranking officials, including New Zealanders working with that organisation. A meeting at the FAO “will add a different dimension to the visit and expose the delegation to the workings of a large and important multilateral agency”, he added.

The delegation will visit Rome from 29 September to 2 October, before travelling to Geneva to represent the New Zealand Parliament at the IPU Assembly, which concludes on Wednesday 6 October.

“The IPU Assembly is the focal point for world-wide parliamentary dialogue and representation from our Parliament is important for New Zealand’s participation in ongoing work for peace and cooperation,” he said.

ENDS

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