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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH, New Zealand hold first foreign ministry consultations to boost bilateral ties

PH, New Zealand hold first foreign ministry consultations to boost bilateral ties

Published Aug 19, 2025 05:40 pm
Aiming to advance their bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global issues, the Philippines and New Zealand convened the inaugural Vice Ministerial Foreign Ministry Consultations (FMC) in Manila on Tuesday, Aug. 19.

Officials of the Philippines and New Zealand convene the inaugural Vice-Ministerial Foreign Ministry Consultations on Manila on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. (DFA Photo)
Officials of the Philippines and New Zealand convene the inaugural Vice-Ministerial Foreign Ministry Consultations on Manila on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. (DFA Photo)
A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the meeting, which was the first held at the vice ministerial level, underscores “the growing depth and maturity of the bilateral ties.”

Secretary and Chief Executive of New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Bede Corry co-chaired the consultations with DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Hellen Dela Vega.

“The NZ-Philippines relationship is going from strength to strength. I was honoured to be received by Foreign Secretary @SecLazaro at the onset of my visit to Manila this week,” Corry said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

For her part, DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said that both countries “are actively working on enhancing our bilateral cooperation.”

“My brief conversation with Secretary Bede Corry brought to the fore broad commonalities and key areas for revitalizing our partnership with New Zealand @NZinManila,” she wrote.

During the meeting, the DFA said that both countries evaluated the “positive developments following the renewed vigor of Philippines-New Zealand ties and pledged to continue working towards establishing a Comprehensive Partnership by 2026.”

(From left) New Zealand Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Bede Corry and DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro (Photo from Sec. Lazaro via X post)
(From left) New Zealand Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Bede Corry and DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro (Photo from Sec. Lazaro via X post)
They also recognized the importance of the recently concluded Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) and the inaugural PH-NZ Maritime Dialogue held in June, as well as expressed readiness to expand two-way trade, advance energy cooperation, and advance discussions on market access for agricultural products.

“Also acknowledged was the valuable support extended by New Zealand to various developmental initiatives including on agricultural programs, joint efforts on climate resilience, and peace and development initiatives in Mindanao,” the DFA said.

It added that people-to-people ties “continue to anchor the warm and friendly relations between the two countries” as they welcomed the growing cooperation on education, including increased scholarship opportunities for Filipinos.

The consultations also served as a venue for the two countries to exchange their views on a wide range of regional and global issues, with New Zealand reaffirming its support for the Philippines’ chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year.

Previously, consultations between the two countries were conducted in the assistant secretary level.

The next vice-ministerial FMC is scheduled to be hosted in New Zealand in 2027, with virtual intersessional consultations.

The Philippines and New Zealand will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2026.

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New Zealand DFA Bede Corry foreign ministry consultations
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