Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern has tonight congratulated newly named Conservative Party leader, Liz Truss, on her election win and pending appointment as UK Prime Minister.
“As Secretary of State for Trade and then Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss has been a close friend of New Zealand. She has been a staunch supporter of the UK’s ‘tilt’ to the Indo-Pacific and played a central role in advancing our historic Free Trade Agreement,” said Ms Ardern.
“We are looking forward to working closely with Prime Minister Truss and her Cabinet to progress a range of shared interests, including: ratification of the NZUK FTA, implementing the extension to the youth mobility scheme, climate change, the Pacific, and supporting Ukraine.
“I am looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Truss and building on the strong relationship between New Zealand and the UK. I know a range of my Cabinet colleagues are hoping to meet with their new British counterparts soon as well,” she said.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged outgoing Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, who resigned in July.
“New Zealand has enjoyed excellent relations with the United Kingdom while Boris Johnson was Prime Minister.”
“Under his leadership we’ve cooperated with the UK to provide military support to Ukraine; supported the UK’s ‘tilt’ to the Indo-Pacific; and signed our New Zealand – UK Free Trade Agreement,” the Prime Minister said.
