KUALA LUMPUR: As Asean and New Zealand mark 50 years as dialogue partners, trade between the South-East Asian nations and Wellington has grown from strength to strength, says Christopher Luxon.
The New Zealand Prime Minister noted their shared story of growth and development while speaking at the Asean-New Zealand Commemorative Leaders' Summit here on Tuesday (Oct 28).
"We now have two comprehensive regional free trade agreements in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Asean-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area, two-way trade of NZ$30bil (RM72.86bil) every year, and we are signing a new regional air services agreement today.
"Put another way, we trade in three days now what we did in all of 1975 with Asean countries," he said at the summit, held in conjunction with the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits.
He said the Asean-New Zealand relationship touches on all domains, from education to agriculture, from renewable energy to the digital economy.
"Together, our cooperation makes each other more prosperous and more secure in a challenging world. We base our relations on peace, partnership and respect.
"New Zealand values Asean's convening power, bringing together diverse states and their voices on issues that impact us all.
"Dialogue is essential for enhancing, understanding and bridging differences. Under our comprehensive strategic partnership, we will meet formally as leaders more often every two years," he added.
He said that in a world of volatility and uncertainties, Asean and New Zealand still share a common belief.
"The importance of words rather than weapons, a rules-based order where size does not determine rights, a world where trade stays open, and an Indo-Pacific region in which Asean helps anchor a stable and prosperous regional architecture based on international law," he said.
"Asean and New Zealand together have agency to shape our regional and global order, and so we will continue to work closely together to do so. And I'm excited about the future direction of our relationship," he added.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who chaired the summit, said New Zealand and Asean are not only celebrating an enduring partnership but have also found new ways to enhance their relationship.
The New Zealand delegation hosted a gala lunch after the summit.
