Plans for Ambassador

Press, 12 May 1984, Page 26

Plans for Ambassador

PA Wellington New Zealand will upgrade its diplomatic office in Bahrain to a full embassy with a resident Ambassador, the Government said. A statement released in Wellington said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Cooper, announced the move in Bahrain. Mr Cooper said an announcement about the first Ambassador would be made in a few weeks. The New Zealand Consu-late-General in Bahrain was established in 1977, and was New Zealand’s first post in the Arab Gulf States. Its opening coincided with moves to establish the Bahrain-New Zealand cold store. Mr Cooper said, “While the initial impetus for New Zealand’s move into the Gulf was trade, the relationship with Bahrain goes beyond economic interests. “As a result of regular exchanges and contact with Bahrain at all levels a solid foundation of trust and friendship has been laid. “It is appropriate that the closeness of our relationship with Bahrain should be reflected in the level of our diplomatic relationship.” The Minister said that besides fostering links with Bahrain, an important task of the embassy would be to

increase coverage of the other Arab Gulf states. “The establishment of the New Zealand mission in Saudi Arabia will allow the Bahrain embassy to turn more of its attention to the other Arab Gulf states. “It is hoped to establish a pattern of accreditations which will enable New Zealand to improve its contact with these countries.”