Australia and New Zealand are set to see stronger relations after agreeing to work closely on tackling climate change and problems in the South Pacific.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd held talks with his New Zealand counterpart Helen Clark in Canberra on Wednesday and discussed various issues of mutual concerns, such as climate change, the South Pacific, economic cooperation and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Clark, on her second visit to Australia since Rudd won general elections last November, described the relationship between the two countries as akin to that between cousins.
"We do so much together and have for so long, it's a very deep and enduring relationship," she said.
Rudd said the relationship between the two neighbors was as "close as it gets."
During their talks, the two prime ministers agreed to work more closely on some of the biggest challenges facing the region.
"We've resolved today to work in a new partnership for the future on climate change," Rudd said.
"I think there is enormous strength to be had by our two countries working seamlessly together," he said.
Clark said the neighbors were both on "the same page" since Australia had ratified the Kyoto Protocol.
"It makes a huge difference to New Zealand to have Australia in," she said.
The two countries will take a similar approach to dealing with issues in the South Pacific, especially with regard to making aid dollars work most effectively in the region.
Both leaders also reaffirmed their firm commitment to closer economic ties, including the creation of a single economic market.
"I've reinforced the importance for New Zealand of the work that's been going on around the economic integration between the two economies and have been assured that's core business for the new Australian government as well," Clark said.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article