President Petr Pavel and his wife Eva end their four-day official visit to New Zealand

President Petr Pavel and his wife Eva will conclude their official visit to New Zealand today. During the four working days, the President of the Republic discussed cooperation between the Czech Republic and New Zealand with the country's top officials - Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Minister of Defence Judith Collins and Governor General Cindy Kiro. He delivered a speech at the prestigious University of Auckland and also opened a business seminar there. The trip also included a meeting with the National Security Department of the Cabinet Office and a tour of the Space Institute. During his visit to New Zealand, the President of the Republic did not forget to meet his compatriots, both in Auckland and in the capital city of Wellington.

The presidential couple began their New Zealand state visit in Auckland. After a traditional Maori welcome ceremony, President Peter Paul was expected to speak at the University of Auckland and open a business seminar. Two dozen local companies and associations participated in business meetings during the trip. "We already have feedback from the Confederation of Industry and Transport which clearly confirms the interest on the New Zealand side. In fact, the companies that accompanied us exactly matched the local demand. This has resulted in concrete confirmed cooperation, including the conclusion of contracts and the signing of several memoranda," said President Pavel, adding that during the working meetings it was also agreed that a New Zealand business delegation would visit the Czech Republic in the first half of next year.

After the visit to Auckland, the President of the Republic moved to Wellington, where he had two meetings with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence. "Prime Minister Luxon and I discussed a broad framework for cooperation. We agreed that if we want to maintain a system based on respect for rules and values, broader cooperation is the only option. We also discussed industrial cooperation and the security situation in the region." President Paul said. 

At the follow-up meeting, the Minister of Defence and the Minister discussed, among other things, how New Zealand currently perceives regional security, where it sees the main risks and in which areas the Czech Republic could be of assistance. Possible intersections of cooperation are evident in the areas of cyber security, advanced aerospace manufacturing and space industry.  

In Wellington, the President met with Bridget White, Director of the National Security Department of the local Government Office, Governor General Cindy Kiro and experts from the protected area of Zealandia. The latter was also the final item on the programme on Thursday.

The President of the Czech Republic visited New Zealand and Australia after almost thirty years. During nine working days, he attended 13 meetings with top officials of both countries and dozens of experts. He met with more than 500 compatriots at four events. Twenty Czech companies met with approximately 200 local companies and associations during the trip.

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PHOTO - Zuzana Bönisch and Tomas Fongus