N.Z.-Rumania closer ties

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33778, 26 February 1975, Page 5

N.Z.-Rumania closer ties

♦N.Z.PA. Staff CurrrspoHdctd • BUCHAREST. February 24. The Prime Ministers of Neu Zealand and Rumania have agreed that, as small countries, they should work closer together to tn to influence world affairs.

Both have pledged to co■jOperate in seeking nuclear 'ldisarmament and the estab- • lishment of a new world economic order. The two leaders were . speaking on Sunday night at a dinner given bv the Rumanian Prime Minister (Mr Manescu) for his New ‘ Zealand counterpart a few ’ hours after Mr Rowling had ; arrived in Bucharest to begin Jia three-day visit. The first New Zealand J Prime Minister to visit an ; I East European country. Mr I Rowling said: "The issues we: 'I face today — overpopulation, poverty. diminishing resources. and political and i social tensions — affect us • all. We believe that small j'countries, if they work to-< . gether. can exert a worth- ’ while influence." Mr Manescu, who gave a . warning that the process of ; East-West detente was not ' yet irreversible, said that all Ji States should act to “consoli-l ’ date positive trends in inter ‘ national affairs.” • i Rumania is among the most

■’independent of all East Euror pean countries, and Mt - Manescu said that his Gov- ■ eminent favoured wider relationships with all countries. » irrespective of their social t and political regimes. • Both Prime Ministers, who " are having official talks to- ' dav. predicted agreement on ' closer ties in trade, scientific * and cultural affairs: Mr Rowl--1 ing hinted at a new trade agreement when he said that they should not have too ' much ditiicultv in “agreeing 'on the principles which !| should guide our trading rela- ■ tionship in the future.” and ; Mr Manescu spoke of econoI mic, technical and scientific 'co-operation, and of a cul*:turai agreement. 1 The Rumanian leader called for both countries to establish resident diplomatic !j missions in each other’s capiI I tai cities. I At present, the New Zea*l land Ambassador to Bucharest is resident in Vienna, and the Rumanian envov to II Wellington lives in Tokvo,