U.S, New Zealand ink diplomatic agreement

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The United States and New Zealand Thursday committed to regular diplomatic and military meetings, and work on trade issues, officials said.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signed the Wellington Declaration with New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully while in New Zealand as part of her visit to the Asia-Pacific region, Radio New Zealand reported.

Besides the meeting and trade commitments, the Wellington Declaration also said the United States and New Zealand would work more closely on other projects in the Pacific, officials said.

Clinton said the agreement offers the chance for greater cooperation in promoting economic development and democracy in the region.

"This Wellington Declaration makes it clear that we want to cooperate across the board in every aspect of our civilian efforts and our military as well," Clinton said.

McCully said the declaration advances the relationship between the two countries.

"Today we've decided we want to be more ambitious for the U.S.-New Zealand relationship," he said. "The Wellington Declaration asserts a determination to do more and achieve more together."