GENEVA, Switzerland, June 5 (UPI) -- NATO and New Zealand pledged closer security cooperation after signing a partnership accord, officials said.
The accord was signed Monday by NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key at NATO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
New Zealand contributes more than 150 personnel to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Rasmussen praised New Zealand's commitment to the Afghan effort, particularly in Bamyan province, which was one of the first to transition to Afghan security responsibility.
Rasmussen said the partnership agreement signed Monday maps out practical steps where NATO and New Zealand will deepen their cooperation.
"We may be far away geographically, but we are linked by common values and commitment," Rasmussen said in a statement. "NATO looks forward to building on this important partnership in the years to come."
