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New Zealand keen to expand trade

Published: 28 Oct. 2009, 22:14

Murray McCully

New Zealand is committed to further cooperation with South Korea to conclude a bilateral free trade deal and resolve regional and global issues, including the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula, a top New Zealand foreign affairs official said.

In an interview with the JoongAng Daily on Tuesday, Murray McCully said his meetings with top South Korean officials will serve as key opportunities to elevate New Zealand-Korea ties to the next level.

McCully, a lawyer-turn-politician, was named New Zealand’s foreign minister, minister for sport and recreation and minister for the Rugby World Cup by Prime Minister John Key in 2008. He arrived in Seoul Monday for a two-day trip after accompanying Key to the East Asia Summit in Thailand on Sunday.

Noting that two rounds of the previous FTA negotiations had been successful, McCully said New Zealand is anxious to make good progress. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Key announced in March the beginning of free trade negotiations.

“When I meet with Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan, we will certainly look into the economic and trade relations,” McCully said. “I will also look forward to being briefed about this region, Korean Peninsula affairs in particular. We will also touch on other troubled spots around the world, including Afghanistan and Iran.”

McCully said New Zealand will continue to closely support the process of the six-nation talks, although his government is not directly involved in the negotiations to dismantle the North’s nuclear arms program. McCully also said his government supports President Lee’s latest proposal of the “grand bargain” through the six-nation talks.

As one of the few Western nations to have diplomatic ties with North Korea, McCully said he is ready to play a role of mediator. In 2007, McCully’s predecessor, Winston Peters, visited Pyongyang to discuss possible political and economic deals with the regime in return for the nuclear dismantlement. Little progress, however, has since been seen.

“I have no plans to visit North Korea right now, but I won’t rule that out if it will be a constructive role that I can play,” McCully said.

As the minister of the Rugby World Cup, McCully said New Zealand’s hosting of the event next year will be a significant opportunity and challenge. Noting that Japan will host the event in 2019, McCully expressed hope that the sport will gain more popularity in Korea as well.

By Ser Myo-ja [[email protected]]