NZ prime minister to visit Phl next week

MANILA, Philippines  (Xinhua) - New Zealand Prime Minister John Key will undertake an official visit to the Philippines next week to further enhance the relations of the two countries, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said today.

Key will be in Manila from Nov. 20 to 22 upon the invitation of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, the department said.

"The two leaders will discuss issues of mutual interest and cooperation, specifically in the areas of trade, defense, labor, geothermal energy, and development assistance," it said.

The leaders are also expected to discuss matters on ASEAN, the Pacific Region, and the Mindanao peace process, the DFA said.

The New Zealand leader will be accompanied by a business delegation from various sectors particularly food and beverage, aviation, and information and communication technology.

The Philippines and New Zealand are to mark 47 years of diplomatic relations, which were established on July 6, 1966.

Aquino undertook a state visit to New Zealand in October 2012. The last visit by a New Zealand prime minister to the Philippines was in 2007 when then Prime Minister Helen Clark attended the East Asia Summit in Central Philippine city of Cebu.