Korean talks useful: Peters
Foreign Affairs Minister meets US’ Pompeo and North Korean counterpart in Singapore
Fpolitics oreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said he had a “useful exchange of views” with his North Korean counterpart.
Peters met the senior figure during three days of talks in Singapore with his Asia-Pacific counterparts, as well as United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Peters left New Zealand last week after his stint as Acting Prime Minister. His work in Singapore included the East Asia Summit ministers’ meeting, the Asean regional forum and the Southwest Pacific Dialogue.
Peters said in a statement that he was “pleased to meet with my North Korean counterpart, Ri Yong Ho, and to have a useful exchange of views on recent developments on the Korean Peninsula and future prospects”.
Peters said the ministerial encounters “were an opportunity for all countries in the region to discuss the big issues confronting the Asia Pacific region, including North Korea, recent developments in the South China Sea, developments in Myanmar and the importance of ensuring that trade disputes are managed in accordance with existing international rules.”
He also stated he had “an excellent discussion with Secretary of State Pompeo covering a wide range of issues including recent developments on the Korean Peninsula, and issues of mutual interest in the bilateral relationship”.
He did not say what the issues of mutual interest were.
Peters also met the foreign ministers of Singapore, North Korea, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, East Timor, Cambodia, Iran, the Philippines and Turkey.
“I had wide-ranging discussions with my Singaporean counterpart, and reviewed the strong progress officials were making on the negotiation for an enhanced partnership.”
Before he left, Peters had reiterated the importance of New Zealand’s relationship with the 10 countries that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
“Asean is one New Zealand’s most important trading relationships, and as close neighbours the member states are key partners in the region’s security and stability,” he said.
“The region faces some serious challenges to its security and prosperity, including in the areas of nuclear proliferation, terrorism and cyber-security. These meetings are a chance to discuss how we address these challenges collectively.
“I will be stressing the importance
The region faces some serious challenges to its security and prosperity.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters on Asean
of the rules-based international order in enhancing peace and prosperity.”
China recently expressed its displeasure to New Zealand over the Government’s new Strategic Defence Policy Statement. The policy statement was unusually explicit for New Zealand in its criticism of China’s military build-up in the South China Sea and also referred to China’s activities in the Antarctic.
It also emphasised the need for New Zealand to stand ready to help its partners.
Peters, in a major foreign policy speech in June, also talked about the militarisation of the South China Seas without mentioning China, which was in keeping with the last Government’s practice.
“We see some troubling developments. In the South China Sea, claimants in the various territorial disputes have acted in ways that challenge international law and norms,” he said.
Peters also included some guarded criticism of the US, in an apparent reference to its need to uphold a rules-based order in international trade.
“Our emphasis on international law, inclusivity, economic integration, trade, and respect for sovereignty makes us a constructive regional partner for most states.”
New Zealand has been excluded from US exemptions on steel and aluminium tariffs, a situation that appears to have been laid at the feet of current Ambassador to the US Tim Groser.
More positively, though, US President Donald Trump signed off a law change that would allow New Zealand investors and entrepreneurs easier access to the US through visas.