PETERS PROVIDES GNZ PERSPECTIVES ON THE PACIFIC

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000247 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/FO A/S HILL AND EAP/ANP RICCI PACOM FOR JO1E/J2/J233/J5/SJFHQ E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL NZ SUBJECT: PETERS PROVIDES GNZ PERSPECTIVES ON THE PACIFIC ¶1. (U) In a March 28 speech, Foreign Minister Winston Peters outlined GNZ objectives in the Pacific. Delivered to a group of more than 200 diplomats, bureaucrats, academics, scholars and former politicos, Peters' speech provided a country-by-country review of GNZ strategies for the region. ¶2. (U) Among other things, Peters said GNZ will work with Fiji to support the country's democratic processes. It will also remain committed to its involvement in the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). In Papua New Guinea, GNZ will advance a mentoring program for heads of government departments. In Vanuatu, GNZ will provide support to the Lini Government's good governance objectives. GNZ will also promote increased trade integration of the French territories. To implement these strategies, GNZ is likely to modestly increase its funding of aid to the region. ¶3. (U) Peters also mentioned the recent visit of EAP A/S Hill, saying, "It was pleasing that during the recent visit of U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Chris Hill, he expressed the view that not only did the U.S. appreciate what we were doing in the Pacific, but there was further work which we could do together, and this should be one of the building blocks for our relationship into the future." McCormick