Brussels, 14 April 2022 (TDI): In the latest meeting, NATO has agreed to help New Zealand and Australia against China’s growing influence. In the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, NATO aims to expand.
China and Russia have grown closer in recent years, evidenced by a joint statement by the Russian President and his Chinese counterpart saying there were no forbidden areas of cooperation between them.
The West and NATO dislike this closeness. Hence, NATO will provide its Asia-Pacific partners, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea, with political and practical cooperation in cyber and new technology, countering disinformation.
Along these lines, NATO and its allies oppose the growing ties between China and the Solomon Islands as the latter is negotiating a security deal with China.
Solomon Island’s Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has responded to the concerns of Australia and New Zealand, who disagree with any agreement signed with China.
He expressed his outrage to be branded as unfit to manage their relationships with their sovereignty affairs or have other ulterior motives other than the national interest.
Chinese Spokesperson Wang Wenbin has also urged New Zealand and Australia to respect the sovereignty of the Solomon Islands.
New Zealand’s partnership with NATO
New Zealand’s partnership with NATO is built upon a foundation of shared principles of common democratic values, international security, and stability under the rule of law.
These include International Humanitarian Law & human rights, and respect for fundamental freedom and commitment. NATO and New Zealand focus on building partnerships to develop cooperation, capabilities, project stability, and capacity building in other countries.
New Zealand made significant contributions to the NATO-led international security assistance for ISAF in Afghanistan in 2014. New Zealand was a part of the resolution support mission to assist, advise, and train the Afghan security force.
New Zealand helped support NATO’s maritime operation ocean shield off the horn of Africa. NATO and New Zealand have had many political exchanges in recent years.
NATO’s Secretary-General traveled to New Zealand in August 2019. As one of the partners in the Asia Pacific region and other allies, New Zealand agreed to increase its alliance and cooperation with NATO.
The Secretary-General visited Wellington for talks with Prime Minister Jacinda to thank them for their contribution to the fight against terrorism.
He also appreciated New Zealand’s role in training the mission for NATO in Afghanistan, extending expertise to train women for their rights in Afghanistan. NATO initially comprised 30 military countries across Europe and North America.
New Zealand is not a member of NATO; rather, it’s one of the few countries referred to as partners across the globe that led defense operations. As a partner, New Zealand donated 5 million dollars to support Ukraine with non-lethal military aid, last month.
In retaliation, Russia banned all members of Parliament, Spy Chiefs, and Defense Forces leaders, banning their entry into Russia.
Australia also has renewed a partnership agreement with NATO claiming that Australia is a treasured partner of the alliance.
New Zealand: An Overview
New Zealand is an island country and one of the many islands that make up Oceania which includes the continent of Australia’s 13 countries.
An eighth continent called Zealandia is hidden under New Zealand and the surrounding Pacific. Geologists and researchers estimated Zealandia as 1 billion years old. 94% of Zealandia is submerged.
New Zealand underwent tremendous economic changes during 1980, which transformed
it from a protectionist to a liberalized free-trade economy. The service sectors dominate the national economy, followed by the industrial sector and agriculture.
Legislative authority is vested in the elected unicameral parliament. At the same time, the executive powers are exercised by the cabinet led by Queen Elizabeth II, who is the country’s monarch, represented by the Governor-General. Tourism plays a significant role in revenue generation.
New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy. Although the constitution is not codified, Queen Elizabeth is the queen of New Zealand and the head of the state.
New Zealand’s Parliament has a legislative policy and legislative council. It has an upper house. Queen Elizabeth appoints the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister.
The House of Representatives is democratically elected, and a government can be formed if won the majority. On the contrary, a coalition government is formed with the support and confidence of the coalition partners.
A Parliamentary general election must be called no later than three years. Almost all general elections between 1853 and 1993 were held under the First-Past-the-Post voting (FPTP). FPTP is formally called single-member plurality voting (SMP).
Elections since 1930 have been dominantly political parties; National and Labor parties. Between March 2005 and August 2006, New Zealand became the first country where women simultaneously occupied the highest offices in the land.
These designations include the Head of State, Governor-General, Prime Minister, Speaker, and Chief Justice. New Zealand is a member of the United Nations (UN) and the Commonwealth of Nations.
Likewise, it is also a member of Australia, New Zealand, and United States Security Treaty (ANZUS), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), & the Pacific reforms.
New Zealand-Australia Ties
New Zealand participated in the 1891 national Australian Convention in Sydney to consider the Federation of the Australian and New Zealand colonies. The Convention agreed to the four principles.
The creation of a federation, navy, and army took a serious interest in the proposed Australian Federation. Still, it faded since New Zealand did not send a delegation to the 1897 National Australian Convention.
Australia: An Overview
Australia is called the oldest continent, the last of the land, which means the last continent apart from Antarctica explored by the Europeans who sailed into the South Pacific many years ago.
The first Aboriginal explorers arrived from Asia 20,000 years ago. Global isolation is the main characteristic of Australia. Australia is a federal form of government with a national government for the Commonwealth of Australia and individual state governments.
It comprises New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. Each state has its own constitution, and its government exercises a limited degree of sovereignty.
There are two internal territories; the Northern Territory was established as a self-governing territory in 1978, and the Australian capital territory, including Canberra’s city, attained self-governed status in 1988.
