New Zealand says its relationship with NATO is stronger than ever after a two-day conference in Brussels.
Cooperation with the world's largest military organisation has been ongoing but the relationship is expected to be formalised in coming months with an "Individually Tailored Partnership Programme".
Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who's been meeting with NATO officials, said New Zealand was committed to working closely with traditional partners in a "worsening strategic environment".
Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who's just finished meeting with NATO leaders, insisted China didn't dominate discussions. (Source: 1News)
He said areas such as cyber security and artificial intelligence were of concern.
"Every aspect of life at the moment is very, very complicated, particularly when it comes to cyber attacks and things like that," he told 1News. "There is a growing concern of attacks that are far more real now than they were just three years ago."
The Ukraine war also continued to dominate discussions.
Peters said New Zealand has done its best to assist and help out.
"And I think that goes to the core of why we're here, because they see what we're doing, so far away," he added.
While in Brussels, Peters also had bilateral meetings with his Foreign Minister counterparts from Belgium, Netherlands, South Korea, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the European Commission.
His visit also coincided with NATO celebrating its 75th anniversary, which the alliance would celebrate more formally at its big leaders meeting in Washington in July – which New Zealand has also been invited to.
NATO is expected to formalise NZ’s standing in coming months with an ‘Individually Tailored Partnership Programme'. (Source: Breakfast)
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