Zubiri, New Zealand PM discuss agri, security cooperation

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Friday met with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to discuss agricultural and security cooperation.

Zubiri hosted a luncheon for Luxon who was accompanied by Simon Watts MP, Minister of Climate Change and Revenue, and Paulo Garcia MP, New Zealand’s first Member of Parliament to come from Filipino descent, and a “sizeable delegation from New Zealand’s business sector.”

“We are especially interested in engaging New Zealand in deeper economic and agricultural cooperation,” Zubiri said in a statement.

“We have a lot to learn from New Zealand’s success as a global agricultural exporter. Coming from Bukidnon, which I always call “the New Zealand of Mindanao,” I am very eager to initiate more agricultural knowledge sharing, capacity building, and technology transfer initiatives between our countries,” he added.

Security cooperation between the Philippines and New Zealand was also highlighted during the meeting, with discussion focused on sharing the goal of upholding a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region.

“We count on New Zealand as an ally in peacekeeping in the region, and toward this end, we hope to establish stronger security cooperation with them,” Zubiri said.

The visit of the New Zealand head of state is a good opportunity to cultivate closer relations with New Zealand as a partner in development in the Indo-Pacific region, the Senate chief said.

According to Zubiri’s statement, Luxon noted that New Zealand is cognizant of the security issues in the region and how this is tied to the economy of Southeast Asia and its trading partners.

“What affects you, affects us,” Luxon was quoted as saying.

Joining Zubiri were Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, Minority Leader Koko Pimentel, Senator JV Ejecito, Senator Mark Villar, Senator Cynthia Villar, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Anti-Red Tape Authority Director General Ernesto Perez, Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Jerome Oliveros, and Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Kira Christianne Azucena. —VAL, GMA Integrated News