New Zealand has given cautious support to Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's idea of creating an Asia-Pacific community, Radio New Zealand reported on Saturday.
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark met Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Friday night in Wellington, during which the proposal was raised.
Gillard was in Wellington with a team of senior ministers for the annual Australia-New Zealand Leadership Forum.
Clark said the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation group does cover much of the region but focuses mainly on economic issues.
The other regional group is the East Asia summit, to which both Australia and New Zealand belong.
Clark said the question is whether either group can be adapted to be a more formal regional community spanning the Pacific and Asia.
On Friday, Gillard said Australia should work hand-in-hand with New Zealand to take advantage of the coming Asia-Pacific century.
She told the forum of political, business and academic leaders that global economic and strategic weight is shifting to the Asia-Pacific region and it has to be prepared for changes.
Gillard said Australia intends to explore the possibility of establishing an Asia Pacific Community to discuss security, economic and environmental issues.
A new economic cycle was bringing challenges, she said.
"Our response to those pressures, and managing the risks of major international price shocks, requires ongoing reform to lay the foundations for sustained growth", she said.
Source: Xinhua
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