SECRETARY KERRY: Hello, everybody.
My great privilege to welcome the foreign minister of New Zealand here.
Murray is a close friend now.
We have worked together for a number of years.
I am particularly grateful, as is President Obama, for New Zealand’s very strong support
of the agreement with Iran, and
we were privileged to have New Zealand as the presidency of the Security Council
when it was passed – the resolution the other day
embracing this agreement.
But beyond that, we have a long and very close working relationship with New Zealand on any
number of issues. New Zealand’s support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership was early
and strong. They are a critical partner with us in all of the efforts of the ASEAN,
the Southeast Asia Pacific efforts, the APEC, and the East Asia Summit. So on broad issues
of national security, international economics and concerns, particularly in counterterrorism
in today’s world, they are one of our strongest partners, and I’m very, very appreciative
for that and look forward to our conversation. Murray, great to have you aboard.
FOREIGN MINISTER MCCULLY: Thank you very much. SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you.
FOREIGN MINISTER MCCULLY: Thank you, and can I just take the opportunity of saying on behalf
of the New Zealand people and the New Zealand Government how much we appreciate the strong
leadership you’ve given to bring the Iran deal to the successful conclusion that it’s
reached. We thank you for your patient diplomacy which has achieved this.
I had the privilege last Monday of chairing the United Nations Security Council when there
was unanimous endorsement of that resolution endorsing the deal. But more than that, there
was a sense also of optimism and hope that this package would provide an opportunity
to reset some relationships in the region and provide a base over time from which we
might be able to resolve some of the other serious challenges and conflicts in the Middle East.
So congratulations on what you’ve achieved.
We wish you well in what you have yet to achieve.
The world really owes you a debt and we thank you.
SECRETARY KERRY: Murray, thank you very, very much.
Thank you. Thank you all very much.