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Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully will host his Australian counterpart, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, in Auckland tomorrow for their first six-monthly Australia-New Zealand Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Ms Bishop’s visit is the first by a minister from the newly-elected Coalition government.

“This meeting is an excellent opportunity to build on the uniquely close relationship between our two countries,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today announced $2.6 million in additional funding for the Syrian crisis. 

New Zealand will provide $604,000 (US$500,000) to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and $2 million to humanitarian relief efforts in Syria and neighbouring countries.

“Together with the United Nations, the OPCW will lead the effort to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons stocks under the Geneva Framework agreed by the United States and Russia,” Mr McCully says.   

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today welcomed the opening of a New Zealand Embassy Office in Myanmar.

“This new office in Yangon reflects Myanmar’s remarkable progress implementing political and economic reforms over the past two years,” Mr McCully says.

“New Zealand has substantially increased its development assistance to Myanmar, with major commitments to dairy cooperation and capacity building. There is also considerable scope for New Zealand companies to invest.”

The government says the United Nations investigators report into the use of chemical weapons in Syria is an important step toward holding those responsible to account.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says the report confirms the use of chemical weapons in Syria and provides further evidence that the regime was responsible for the attack.

"The Secretary General is correct in labelling this as a despicable act and a gross breach of international law.  Those responsible need to be held accountable,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully departs today for a trip to the United States and Caribbean.

Mr McCully, along with Prime Minister John Key, will attend the opening week of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York from September 23.

“UNGA is an excellent opportunity to speak with a range of world leaders about New Zealand’s campaign for a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council and issues of global importance, such as the situation in Syria,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has announced a programme of electoral assistance, development assistance and the easing of some sanctions in Fiji in order to support progress toward elections next year.

Mr McCully says the New Zealand Government welcomed recent moves toward elections, including the release of the final constitution, and wanted to support the elections process.

The New Zealand Government wants the international community to take clear steps to ensure chemical weapons are not used again in Syria, Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says.

Implementation of the renewable energy projects, totalling $635 million, agreed at the Auckland Pacific Energy Summit in March is on-track, Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says.

Mr McCully, at the Pacific Islands Forum in Majuro, today released a report outlining the progress made since the Summit.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today announced New Zealand will provide almost $800,000 to assist Syrian refugees, with the funding matched dollar for dollar by non-government organisations.

“New Zealand condemns in the strongest possible terms the on-going violence and the toll it is taking on the people of Syria,” Mr McCully says.

The New Zealand and Sri Lankan governments have agreed to work toward a Dairy Sector Cooperation Agreement following a one day visit to Colombo by Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully.

The visit followed the serious difficulties Fonterra has experienced in that market over recent weeks and the temporary closure of its Sri Lankan operations.

Mr McCully and Fonterra Chairman John Wilson met Sri Lankan Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa to discuss progress in resolving the difficulties and future opportunities to expand cooperation in the dairy sector.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says the New Zealand Government still wants the United Nations Security Council to be the place where action on the Syrian crisis is resolved.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says his visit to Beijing this week has reaffirmed the strength of the relationship between New Zealand and China.

“While trade and economic issues currently dominate the agenda, my discussions in Beijing have been wide ranging and have emphasised the extent of our shared interests,” Mr McCully says.

“This visit, which was planned some months ago, is timely in light of recent issues involving dairy products from New Zealand.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully will travel to China, Mongolia and Hong Kong this week for a series of bilateral meetings.

“This visit, which has been planned for some time, will enable me to update authorities on the response to recent meat and dairy issues,” Mr McCully says.

In China, Mr McCully will meet his counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and State Councillor Yang Jiechi to discuss a wide range of issues.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today announced New Zealand is contributing $17 million toward improving shipping services and port facilities in Vanuatu.

The Vanuatu Inter-Island Shipping Support Project is a joint initiative between New Zealand, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Vanuatu.

“Shipping services are a lifeline in the Pacific, connecting communities, moving goods to market and supporting the tourism industry,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has condemned the violent events in Egypt overnight.

“The use of military force against civilians is completely unacceptable and deserves strong condemnation,” Mr McCully says.

“The New Zealand Government continues to urge all parties to exercise restraint. Egypt’s future can only be secured through an inclusive political process that incorporates all parties.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today opened the new Munda runway and Noro-Munda road in the Western Province of Solomon Islands.

“The opening of Munda runway represents a massive economic opportunity for the people of Western Province and the Solomon Islands,” Mr McCully says.

Munda runway is the centrepiece of a major infrastructure investment programme by the governments of New Zealand and Solomon Islands. 

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has posted an updated travel advisory in relation to Real Tonga airline now the recently acquired MA-60 aircraft is in service.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully announced New Zealand will invest significantly in an on-going programme to upgrade residential sanitation infrastructure in the Cook Islands during a visit to Muri lagoon in Rarotonga today.

“The beaches and lagoons of the Cook Islands are a major tourist draw-card on which the economy depends,” Mr McCully says.

“Protecting the health of the Cook Island’s many lagoons is a priority for the Cook Island’s Government and New Zealand wants to support this effort."

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today joined Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna in Rarotonga to announce improved pension portability for those looking to retire to the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau from New Zealand.

“Changes to the Special Portability Arrangement will allow eligible residents to apply for their pension or veteran’s pension from the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully will lead a delegation to Papua New Guinea, the Papua New Guinea Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu next week for the 2013 Pacific Mission.

“The delegation will have the opportunity to meet leaders, see first-hand the challenges confronting the region and the impact New Zealand is having,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today launched the Secondary School Fee Grant Scheme at Alofi O Taoa School on Savai’i, Samoa.

“Removing the burden of school fees from families will give more children access to secondary education, with the chance to gain qualifications and improve their employment opportunities,” Mr McCully says.

The scheme will deliver fee-free education to children in year nine to 11 in government schools, reduced fees for children in mission schools and provide grants to help improve teaching materials.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully will visit Samoa and the Cook Islands this week to meet leaders ahead of this year’s Pacific Islands Forum in the Marshall Islands.

“This visit is a chance to hear the views of Samoan leaders, including Prime Minister Tuilaepa, ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum and to take stock of our on-going development assistance programme," Mr McCully says.

Next year Samoa will host the third Small Island Developing States (SIDS) conference, with over 3000 delegates from around the world.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has welcomed the announcement by US Secretary of State John Kerry that agreement has been reached on a basis for direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

“New Zealand strongly supports the efforts of US Secretary of State John Kerry to move the peace process forward through direct negotiations on a two-state solution," Mr McCully says.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today announced the appointment of Joanna Kempkers as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to the Cook Islands.

“The Cooks Islands is one of our closest neighbours and we have a special relationship founded on close historical ties, unique constitutional arrangements and a common citizenship and currency,” Mr McCully says.