Australia and New Zealand agreed Thursday to discuss the benefits of joining the US, UK and Australia trilateral AUKUS military pact.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles said both countries agreed to soon send a team to New Zealand to brief it on the AUKUS, particularly AUKUS Pillar Two.
"Well since the beginning of AUKUS, it has had two pillars, and there has been a lot of focus on Pillar I which is obviously Australia acquiring nuclear-powered submarine capability from the United States and the United Kingdom. Pillar II, which is really focusing on the development of other advanced technologies, has received interest from other countries to participate, particularly countries from Five Eyes," Marles told reporters at a news conference in Melbourne alongside New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins, referring to Australia, Canada, New Zeeland, the UK and US.
Collins said, in response to her country joining AUKUS, that officials from the two countries will see some of the opportunities that are available in AUKUS II for New Zealand.
"The opportunities that open up to our space and technology sectors are actually immense and it is very important that some of this great work that has been going on in New Zealand is part of that wherever possible. Because throughout our shared history, our people have always stood shoulder to shoulder," she said.
New Zealand Premier Christopher Luxon ruled out last month any concessions on his country's nuclear-free stance while still looking to take part in the AUKUS military pact.
Speaking at a news conference with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Sydney in December, Luxon expressed his country’s interest in AUKUS Pillar Two, involving developed advanced military technologies by countries in the pact.
The Australian and New Zealand’s foreign and defense ministers met earlier for the first time in the 2+2 format and discussed enhancing cooperation in the defense, economic, science and climate sectors.
Source: AA
