https://arab.news/cpfdq
- US Pacific military commander says the leadership of Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific was 鈥渃ritically important,鈥�
WELLINGTON, New Zealand: The commander of the United States military in the Pacific said Monday he wants to expand and strengthen its ties with New Zealand.
The visit to Wellington by Adm. John Aquilino, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, comes as the US is looking to increase its presence in the region amid deep concerns over China鈥檚 growing ambitions in the Pacific.
Aquilino was greeted with a traditional M膩ori welcome ceremony and laid a wreath at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. He spoke briefly to media ahead of meetings with top New Zealand defense force and government officials.
鈥淥ur partnership runs very deep,鈥� Aquilino said. 鈥淲e are doing many things together to continue to ensure peace and prosperity for both of our nations and for all the nations in the region.鈥�
Aquilino said he wanted to identify new areas where the US could work with New Zealand. He said the leadership of Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific was 鈥渃ritically important.鈥�
鈥淭he one thing you will never hear out of me is big or small. This is a partnership,鈥� Aquilino said. 鈥淎ll nations deliver those things that they can deliver.鈥�
He said the US understood the security implications of climate change in Pacific island nations, including for food security and water security, and the importance for island nations to be able to fish in exclusive zones.
鈥淭he United States has been a Pacific nation our entire life. We will continue to operate in the Pacific no matter what else you might hear,鈥� Aquilino said.
Air Marshal Kevin Short, chief of New Zealand鈥檚 defense force, said the relationship with the US had been strong for decades, and it regularly interacts with US forces so they can both operate better in the region.