Cooperation welcomed within context of independent foreign policy

Labour’s Foreign Affairs and Defence spokespersons have welcomed the signing of a defence cooperation arrangement between New Zealand and the United States.

However, Phil Goff and Iain Lees-Galloway have stressed the importance of cooperation with friends being within the context of New Zealand maintaining an independent foreign policy.

“As a small country, New Zealand wins respect from speaking from the perspective of its own values, principles and interests, not anyone else’s.

“The days are long gone where New Zealand simply follows the position of any other nation whether it is the UK, Australia or the US,” Phil Goff and Iain Lees-Galloway said.

“In fact, the best prospect New Zealand has for being elected to the United Nations Security Council in 2014, a priority for New Zealand, is to be seen to act with integrity and independence as a good international citizen.

“The reality of that means that New Zealand ought not to enter or re-enter formal defence alliances, including Anzus, which would prevent New Zealand from taking positions on any international issues on their merits.

“This arrangement appears simply to reaffirm cooperation between New Zealand and a friendly country on issues where it is sensible to talk and work together on matters of mutual concern,” Mr Goff and Mr Lees Galloway said.