Ministers from Australia and New Zealand reaffirm their commitment to a strong partnership.
At a meeting in Auckland on December 6, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong met with their New Zealand counterparts, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins. The ministers discussed various issues, including regional security, the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), climate change, and the Australia-New Zealand alliance.
Ministers acknowledged the strength of their strategic alignment and reaffirmed their commitment to acting together as allies to safeguard national interests and advance peace and stability in the region. They noted the importance of ANZMIN as an essential element of the bilateral architecture, supporting their ability to respond to complex challenges.
The ministers also discussed the Indo-Pacific region, expressing concern over developments in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. They emphasized the need for all states to adhere to international law and promote stability and security in the region's vital waterways.
Additionally, they touched on various global issues, including climate change, human rights, and nuclear disarmament. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and the rules-based international system, while also emphasizing their opposition to economic coercion.
Australia and New Zealand have agreed to continue their close cooperation in addressing regional and global challenges, with a focus on promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.