PM to join Five Eyes security talks
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will join a security meeting with British counterpart Theresa May and other intelligence allies amid growing concern over ‘‘unconscionable’’ Russian tactics in the Syrian crisis.
The pair will be joined by two other prime ministers, Australia’s Malcolm Turnbull and Justin Trudeau of Canada, in the meeting today between four of the ‘‘Five Eyes’’ intelligence allies, on the margins of the Commonwealth Heads of Government [CHOGM] meeting in London.
The talks are expected to consider the danger from further Russian cyber attacks after damage to British and United States targets in recent days.
Ardern’s day also includes a town hall meeting with Trudeau and London mayor Sadiq Khan, before a meeting with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.
‘‘As the UK noted overnight, arrangements are under way for a meeting of UK, Australia, NZ and Canada’s leaders in the margins of CHOGM,’’ a spokesperson for the prime minister said.
‘‘CHOGM provides an opportunity for leaders at the meeting and in the margins to discuss a range of international issues, including security and intelligence matters.’’
Ardern’s whirlwind European tour has already featured bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Ardern’s wide-ranging discussion with Merkel also featured security issues – predominantly Russia and the recent chemical attacks in the UK and Syria.
On Tuesday, GCSB directorgeneral Andrew Hampton confirmed there had been signs New Zealand organisations had been directly threatened by Russian state-sponsored hacking.
‘‘Attributing cyber incidents to particular countries is something that is carefully considered and is a step not taken lightly,’’ Hampton added.
"This pattern of behaviour on the part of Russia is a concern not only to Commonwealth countries but globally."
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop
Minister for Intelligence and Security Andrew Little said New Zealand had been subject to attacks.
‘‘We know our security agencies around the world are constantly monitoring what’s happening in cyber space and state-sponsored cyber attacks are now a reality and they’re affecting New Zealand as well,’’ Little said.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop blasted the Russian tactics and issued a general warning about the prospect of ‘‘malicious’’ attacks on internet services from sources in Russia.
‘‘This pattern of behaviour on the part of Russia is a concern not only to Commonwealth countries but globally,’’ Bishop said.
The bombardment of British and US networks has moved security concerns to the top of the agenda at the CHOGM.
Seeking a Commonwealth outcome on cyber security, May will offer £15 million (NZ$29m) to Commonwealth members to tighten their internet defences.
‘‘I have called on Commonwealth leaders to take action and to work collectively to tackle this threat,’’ the British leader said in a statement ahead of the meeting.
The UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have been formal intelligence allies with the US in the ‘‘Five Eyes’’ group since the start of the Cold War, using a network of monitoring stations to gather and share information.
The intelligence partners have backed the use of military force to destroy chemical weapons facilities in Syria last weekend, even though only two of the five actually took part.