1. Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr.Riad Al-Malki Visits New Zealand
![845](/assets/SilverWare/News/Article/2015/_resampled/CroppedImage300300-845.jpg)
The Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister made a successful two-day visit to New Zealand from 30 April to 2 May 2015 to conduct talks with New Zealand officials, in particular the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Murray McCully. The meetings proved to be a success, with McCully informing Al-Malki of the desire of New Zealand to propose a resolution in the Security Council that would end Israeli Occupation of Palestinian Territories. In Auckland, the Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister also met with the shadow spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Mr. David Shearer, in which Shearer assured the Minister of his support for a two state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state within 1967 borders. He also criticized the continuation of illegal Israeli settlement activity. Shearer is considered to be a major supporter of Palestinian rights who closely follows the Israel-Palestine conflict.
During his visit, the Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister was invited by the University of Auckland to give an important speech at a seminar attended by academics, students and solidarity groups, in which he reviewed the new Palestinian multilateral strategy in seeking the United Nations support and the importance of international public diplomacy.
The Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister invited Mr. McCully for a reciprocal visit, which was carried out in June 2015, which saw him meet with the Palestinian President Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Rahmi Hamdallah and the Foreign Affairs Minister Riad al-Malki. During this visit, the Palestinian officials present thanked the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs for the active concern shown by the New Zealand government for resolving the Palestinian issue, in particular the New Zealand leadership within the UN Security Council.