3rd Round of Pakistan-New Zealand Bilateral Political Consultations

The 3rd Round of Pakistan-New Zealand Bilateral Political Consultations was held in Islamabad, today. Mr. Javed Jalil Khattak, Director General (EAP) led the Pakistan delegation while the New Zealand side was led by Mr. Stephen Harris, Divisional Manager (South Asia). Other members of delegation included Mr. Eamonn O’Shaughnessy, New Zealand High Commissioner to Pakistan (resident in Tehran) and Mr. Richard Prendergast, Senior Foreign Policy Adviser (South Asia).

The Bilateral Political Consultations covered the entire spectrum of relations between the two countries, including high level exchanges, economic and commercial ties, defence cooperation, Parliamentary Friendship Groups and consular matters. The 3 rd Round of BPC offered an opportunity to review the relations and explore ways and means to further broaden them. Pakistan briefed the New Zealand side on the regional matters, including Afghanistan, Iran, China, ASEAN and the Middle East. The New Zealand delegation briefed on regional situation in the Pacific Region. International issues of mutual interest including terrorism, UN Security Council Reform and Pakistan’s membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) also came under discussion. It was agreed in principle that the 4 th Round of Pakistan-New Zealand Bilateral Political Consultations will be held in the second half of 2018 in Wellington.

The New Zealand delegation also paid a courtesy call on Syed Zulfiqar Gardezi, Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific). Pakistan-New Zealand bilateral relations and situation in South Asian region, particularly, India and the Kashmir issue were discussed.

During its visit, the delegation will hold the 2nd Meeting of Pakistan-New Zealand Joint Trade Committee (JTC) on trade and investment related matters at the Ministry of Commerce, Islamabad, on 31 January 2017.

Islamabad 30 January 2017