Spindelegger visits ‘partner’ New Zealand
A delegation formed of Austrias political and economic elite is currently meeting with decision-makers in New Zealand.Austrian Peoples Party (ÖVP) Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger and Federal Economy Chamber (WKO) President Christoph Leitl are heading the Austrian group who are currently on the island in the south-western Pacific Ocean.Spindelegger, who will meet New Zealand National Party Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and other leading politicians, said today (Tues) that he regarded New Zealand as a “partner on the other end of the world”.Spindelegger said: “The ties between our countries are getting closer despite the large geographical distance.”The country only recently opened an embassy in Vienna.The Austrian foreign minister added that he wanted to discuss climate and environment issues among other topics. Spindelegger will travel to Australia at the end of his visit to New Zealand.