New Zealand PM arriving in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - New Zealand Prime Minister John Key will visit the Philippines from Nov. 20 to 22 on the invitation of President Aquino, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced yesterday.

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

They are also expected to discuss matters on the ASEAN, the Pacific Region, and Mindanao peace process.

Key will be accompanied by a business delegation from the food and beverage, aviation, and communications technology sectors.

He will be the keynote speaker at the New Zealand-Philippines Business Forum to be attended by members of the Philippine business community.

The Philippines and New Zealand mark 47 years of diplomatic relations established on July 6, 1966. President Aquino undertook a state visit to New Zealand in October 2012, while the last visit by a New Zealand head of government to the Philippines was in 2007 when then Prime Minister Helen Clark attended the East Asia Summit in Cebu.