Foreign Minister Murray McCully will discuss New Zealand's
bid for a seat on the UN Security Council when he meets
Middle Eastern counterparts this week.
He is travelling to Egypt today to attend the League of Arab
States executive council meeting, before travelling to
Bahrain, Turkey and Jordan for talks.
Mr McCully said he was looking forward to discussing New
Zealand's bid for a seat on the Security Council with his
counterparts in the region.
A secret ballot next year will determine which countries
fills two places on the council in 2015-16.
Spain and Turkey have also put in bids.
Mr McCully said the Arab League had been at the forefront of
some of the most pressing international issues over the past
two years, including Libya and Syria.
"Its leadership will be critical for dealing with the range
of challenges that have resulted from the Arab Spring. This
visit provides an opportunity for New Zealand to strengthen
its relationship with a vitally important regional
organisation."
Mr McCully plans to discuss ongoing regional security issues
and New Zealand's humanitarian assistance for Syrian refugees
in Turkey and Jordan.
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