Remarks With New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully Before Their Meeting

Statement

SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody -- almost afternoon. One minute to go, so (inaudible). I'm really delighted to welcome Foreign Minister McCully here. Our friends in New Zealand are just that, a special relationship, 175 years of a active relationship. We're going to build on the Wellington and Washington Declarations.
But New Zealand has been a partner in a lot of our initiatives and interests, and particularly helping out in a place like Afghanistan, which is far away, but they've been an enormous global partner. The regional issues, particularly on the Korean Peninsula and the challenges in the South China Sea, are important to all of us. And we rely on our friends in New Zealand for the strength of a relationship not just in the region but globally. We share a lot of values and a lot of interests.

So I'm very, very happy to welcome the Foreign Minister here, and I look forward to a good conversation on any number of issues.

FOREIGN MINISTER MCCULLY: Thank you for your kindness, sir. I'm delighted to be here. I know you've got a really busy schedule and you're off to the Middle East, I think for the fourth time, this afternoon. I'm delighted that you were able to receive us. I look forward to our discussions this afternoon. So thank you.

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much. Thank you all. I apologize for running, but I literally have to run out to the airport in half an hour, so it's my fault.

QUESTION: (Off mike.)

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Thank you very much. I'll be back.

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