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Wellington, May 9, 2017
Foreign Affairs Minister Gerry Brownlee will travel to Tonga today to meet King Tupou VI, Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva and cabinet ministers.
This is the first visit for Brownlee since becoming Foreign Minister last month. This is also the first for a New Zealand Foreign Minister to Tonga in almost two years.
The visit, will provide an opportunity for Mr Brownlee to build on the strong bilateral relationship between New Zealand and Tonga.
“With over 60,000 Tongans living in New Zealand, the connections between Tonga and New Zealand are based on family and community links, as well as a strong government-to-government relationship. Tonga is an important partner on key regional priorities such as fisheries and regional connectivity,” Mr Brownlee said.
He said that the visit would reinforce the importance New Zealand places on its relationships with Pacific Island countries.
“I will discuss Tonga’s priorities for New Zealand’s assistance to Tonga, including energy, policing, justice and education,” Mr Brownlee said.
While in Tonga, he will meet with business leaders and visit New Zealand-funded renewable energy projects to see the difference that New Zealand development assistance is making to the people of Tonga.
“Tonga is small but growing economy presents opportunities for New Zealand businesses – particularly in the areas of energy, construction materials, wharf development and tourism,” Mr Brownlee said.
New Zealand has committed around $62 million development assistance to Tonga over the 2015-2016 to 2017-2018 financial years.
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Photo Caption:
Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee
