New Zealand Parliament delegation to visit Europe

WELLINGTON, June 29 (Xinhua) -- A New Zealand Parliament delegation is traveling to Europe next month to strengthen political links and historical ties, while taking stock of the EU agriculture policy and the financial crisis, Parliament Speaker Lockwood Smith said Friday.

"The delegation members will meet with political leaders in Britain, Croatia, and Brussels, reinforcing existing links and sharing thoughts and ideas on the current challenges facing the global economy," Smith said in a statement.

"Our extensive program is designed to enable our delegation to engage with three key European countries at a time when global events are occurring that will have an impact on New Zealand's relationship with these countries."

The delegation would meet with key parliamentary officials in Britain and be briefed on Britain's position on the EU financial situation and the ongoing Common Agricultural Policy discussions.

In Croatia, the delegation would meet both the prime minister and the president among other officials, and engage with the significant New Zealand-Croatian business community of the Dubrovnik-Neretva region.

They would meet with officials from the European Parliament and the Belgian Parliament in Brussels, and hold more discussions around the EU Common Agricultural Policy and receive a comprehensive briefing on the state of the Euro-zone.

"Our time in Belgium will be rounded off by a day of visits to significant World War I sites in Western Flanders to pay tribute to the New Zealand soldiers who fought and died in that great conflict," said Smith, who is to lead the delegation.

The delegation, which would leave July 1 and return July 14, would include one member of Parliament each from the four main parties.

Sourced: Xinhuanet