United States - New Zealand Strategic Dialogue
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
June 3, 2015
United States Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Mr. Daniel Russel and New Zealand Ministry
of Foreign Affairs Secretary Mr. Brook Barrington met in Washington on May 29, 2015 to co-chair the fifth United States
– New Zealand Strategic Dialogue. Drawing on the close partnership and excellent bilateral relations between the United
States and New Zealand, the co-chairs reviewed the breadth of cooperation and exchanged views on regional and global
matters of mutual concern, including maritime security, the coalition to counter ISIL, efforts to counter violent
extremism globally, and matters before the United Nations Security Council.
The co-chairs attended a lunch hosted by Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Ms.
Catherine Novelli, where they discussed the ambitious Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement that will open markets,
establish high standards for trade and investment throughout the region, and knit the countries of the region more
closely together in commerce and prosperity – longstanding shared goals of the United States and New Zealand. They also
discussed their mutual concern for the health of the ocean and expressed support for a successful Our Ocean conference
in Chile in October. Both sides expressed a desire to work together in the future on development efforts in the Pacific
islands, particularly efforts involving renewable energy.
ENDS