Tasman defence ties to stay

Press, 13 December 1986, Page 1

Tasman defence ties to stay

PA Wellington New Zealand and Australia will continue to maintain their close defence relationships, said the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Lange, and Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Hayden, yesterday. In a joint statement, they said no major initiatives in defence relations were envisaged because none were required. “Rather, we will continue to develop the close relationship we have enjoyed in the past, continuing to ensure the peaceful development and stability of the Souih Pacific where we can.”

A range of issues relating to Australian-New Zealand relations and developments in other parts of the world had been discussed during Mr Hayden’s visit over the last three days. “In discussing our over-all relationship, we agreed that a very close defence relationship exists and will be maintained between our two countries.

“It has formal expression in the A.N.Z.U.S. alliance, but its real strength lies in our recognition that we share joint strategic concerns, specially in the South Pacific region. “We acknowledge the differing .policies we each have with regard to the question of visits by nuclear warships. “Obviously we discussed these, differences as you would expect close friends to do, but these differences have not, and will not, prevent us working closely together to further our common defence interests.”