Foreign ministers to talk Pacific ties

AUCKLAND, AAP - Improving ties with Pacific neighbours was on the agenda when New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully meets with his Australian counterpart, Kevin Rudd, in Canberra yesterday.

Mr McCully was due to arrive in Canberra yesterday afternoon for the biannual meeting.
"These talks are an opportunity to discuss the foreign policy agenda in depth, and to set our shared goals for our trans-Tasman relationship," Mr McCully said in a statement.
"Our discussions in Canberra will cover regional and global issues, and how we can further improve co-operation with our partners, including in the Pacific Islands Forum.
The previous formal talks between the countries' foreign ministers were held in February this year, when Stephen Smith held the foreign affairs portfolio in the Australian government.