Hon Murray McCully

Minister of Foreign Affairs

19 November 2010 Media Statement

McCully heads to Europe, NATO Summit

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully is heading to Europe where he will spend next week attending the 2010 NATO Summit in Portugal and meeting his counterparts in Croatia, Ireland, the UK, the Czech Republic and Estonia.

In Lisbon, Portugal the minister will represent the Prime Minister at the NATO Summit meeting on Afghanistan.

“New Zealand is among the 48 contributors to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission invited to Lisbon to discuss the situation and way forward in Afghanistan,” Mr McCully said.

Also in Lisbon, Mr McCully will meet with UK Foreign Secretary William Hague.

Mr McCully then heads to Zagreb where he will meet with with Foreign Minister Gordan Jandrokovic for foreign policy discussions. He will also meet with Croatian President Ivo Josipovic and Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor.

“Croatia became a member of NATO last year and has entered the final stages of its accession negotiations to join the European Union,” Mr McCully said.

Mr McCully then heads to Dublin to meet with Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin. The minister has also been invited to address the IRB Council in Dublin and will make a number of other Rugby World Cup calls.

In London, Mr McCully will carry out a number of promotional events with NZ2011 Ambassador Sean Fitzpatrick, including meeting with media to promote the sector showcasing opportunities in 2011.

In Prague, Czech Republic, Mr McCully will meet with Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg.

Mr McCully’s final call is in Tallinn, Estonia, for meetings with Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and Prime Minister Andrus Ansip replacing a visit he was forced to cancel earlier in the year due to the disruption of air flights.

ENDS

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