New Zealand PM to hold talks with President Obama in Washington

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key Friday announced he would hold talks with U.S. President Barack Obama during a visit to the United States later this month.

Key will be in the U.S. from July 18 to 22, spending two days in Washington DC as well as San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The meeting with President Obama in Washington was scheduled for July 22 local time.

"The bilateral relationship with the United States is one of New Zealand's most important. The relationship has improved over recent years, and I hope the visit will further strengthen ties," said Key.

"Issues that I anticipate will be canvassed in Washington DC include the global and U.S. economic outlook, the bilateral relationship, trade, and other Asia-Pacific regional issues," said Key.

The visit to Washington DC would include a range of other meetings with U.S. Government agencies, a speech to the United States Chamber of Commerce, and other events.

The full schedules for the Washington and the west coast legs of the visit were still being finalized, said a statement from Key 's office.

Key first met Obama officially in New York during the United Nations General Assembly meeting of 2009. Obama invited Key to attend the nuclear security summit in the United States in April last year.

Editor: Mu Xuequan

English.news.cn   2011-07-08 06:25:53 FeedbackPrintRSS
WELLINGTON, July 8 (Xinhua)