ASEAN-New Zealand



In trade relations, the New Zealand GSP issue was the principal focus of attention of ASEAN countries. Two ASEAN member countries were affected by New Zealand's decision to withdraw GSP Beneficiary Status from developing countries with per capita GNP as the sole criterion for determining the country's level of development.

Initial efforts by ASEAN countries to persuade the New Zealand Government to modify its policy were fruitless. The first ASEAN Memorandum to New Zealand was presented in February 1985 and the New Zealand response to the Memorandum was negative.

A 14 member ASEAN delegation including the Secretary-General held consultations with the New Zealand officials in Wellington on 17 and 18 June 1985. A second ASEAN Memorandum to New Zealand was also presented under cover of a letter from the Chairman of the ASEAN Standing Committee.

A second round of consultations between an ASEAN delegation assisted by the ASEAN Ambassadors in Wellington and New Zealand officials was held on 27 June 1985. These rounds of consultations failed to resolve the basic issue of the New Zealand GSP policy. But the New Zealand Government agreed to the reinstatement in the New Zealand GSP of products of interest to ASEAN.

The Veterinary Administration Development Programme (VADP) held its sixth workshop in Indonesia during October/November 1984 with technical assistance from NewZealand. Following its success, New Zealand indicated its support in principle for further VADP workshops.

A Memorandum of Understanding for the extension of the Afforestation Project was signed in Manila in October 1984. The project will continue until 1987 with New Zealand funding of approximately NZ$ 500,000.

A number of training programmes were initiated with New Zealand assistance during the year under review. One official from each ASEAN country was sent as part of the training attachment programme to the New Zealand Probation and Aftercare Department, and to the New Zealand Periodic Detention Centre. The training programme, commenced in August 1984, was completed in October 1984. A similar training attachment under the Community Service Order Scheme was completed in September 1984. ASEAN experts were sent to New Zealand to learn the various aspects of legal aid and services in New Zealand.

A New Zealand training mission visited ASEAN member countries in September - October 1984 to present proposals to increase training opportunities for ASEAN students in New Zealand with a view to enhance ASEAN - New Zealand relations. New Zealand also provided additional places for ASEAN students at Victoria University, Wellington, for the academic year 1 985 covering a period of 8 to 10 years. The programme enables the students to study areas of human resources development.