Dutch seeking co-operation in the Pacific

Press, 21 April 1984, Page 9

Dutch seeking co-operation in the Pacific

The Netherlands Government wishes to work with New Zealand in promoting regional co-operation in the Pacific. The Dutch State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr W. F. Van Eekelen, said in Christchurch yesterday that his country would like to “join hands" with New Zealand to help develop these areas. Dr Van Eekelen used the Forum Shipping line as an example of one area where his country could assist New Zealand in running a lifeline for small countries in the Pacific region. Dr Van Eekelen has been State Secretary at the Foreign Ministry since the formation, in November, 1982, of the Centre-Right coalition of the Christian Democrat Party and the Freedom and Democracy Party under the Prime Minister, Mr Lubbers. While in New Zealand he will meet the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon,

and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Cooper. High on the list of priorities will be New Zealand's butter quota with the European Economic Community and the extension of trade between the two countries. Dr Van Eekelen said the Netherlands was outgoing in its thinking concerning New Zealand and advocated a generous butter quota. He said that all the other members of the Community, except Ireland, also favoured New Zealand. “There will be another meeting when I return and, I hope, we will fix it up then,’’ he said. On the aspect of trade, he said that the Netherlands was a leader in the electronics and chemical industry and he saw a definite potential for a wider trade agreement in these fields. Dr Van Eekelen leaves today for Queenstown and will also visit Wellington, Rotorua and Auckland on his six-day visit.