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| NATO |
BRUSSELS — NATO and New Zealand signed a partnership deal June 4 and alliance chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced a visit to Australia as the defense group boosts ties with non-NATO nations engaged in Afghanistan.
“We may be far away geographically, but we are linked by common values and commitment,” Rasmussen said on signing an Individual Partnership Cooperation Program Arrangement with visiting New Zealand Prime Minister John Key.
Key said New Zealand’s engagement with NATO has developed considerably over the past decade, mainly through Wellington’s involvement in the NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan.
“This arrangement is a move to capitalize on this engagement,” he said.
In a comment on Twitter, Rasmussen said: “I thank Kiwi troops for their courage, professionalism and sacrifice.”
The deal with New Zealand sets out steps to boost cooperation in fields such as cyber-defence, disaster relief, crisis management and training.
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