U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has met with New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman to discuss the military alliance between the two countries, the American Forces Press Service reported Monday.
Nick Simeone writes Hagel and Coleman announced an expanded U.S.-New Zealand cooperation during a joint press conference Monday at the Pentagon.
The new agreement calls on both nations to resume bilateral defense policy talks after almost three decades, according to the report.
âNear-term steps include military-to-military talks next month in Honolulu, New Zealandâs deployment of a frigate to the multinational antipiracy coalition in the Gulf of Aden, and the United Statesâ upcoming participation in what will be New Zealandâs largest ever multinational and interagency exercise,” Hagel said, according to AFPS.
AFPS reports Hagel has permitted New Zealand to dock naval ships at Pearl Harbor at the next annual Rim of the Pacific Exercise.