WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- New Zealand and the United States ended a quarter century of political and military estrangement with the signing of the Wellington Declaration in the capital.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who signed the document in the iconic Beehive executive government offices, said New Zealand "punches way above its weight".
After the signing, Foreign Minister Murray McCully and Clinton said the document represents a new era of partnership in a relationship that has been disrupted since 1986 when New Zealand's anti-nuclear legislation was passed.
The southern Pacific island nation hasn't allowed nuclear-powered vessels into its national waters, much to the irritation of the United States. The result has been cool political, as well as military, relations.
Particular fallout has been the cancellation of joint military exercises.
The new strategic partnership means New Zealand and the United States will begin closer cooperation in the Pacific in areas including renewable energy and natural disaster readiness and response.
UPI
