Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu is paying an official visit to New Zealand on 12-14 November 2014.

On the occasion of the first foreign ministerial visit from Turkey to New Zealand in 20 years, the relations between the two countries were reviewed in all aspects and the preparations for the commemoration ceremonies in 2015 for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli were discussed. At the meetings, views on the developments in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East regions were also exchanged.

At the beginning of the visit, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu met with the Minister of Veterans' Affairs Craig Foss and informed him about the preparations for the commemoration ceremonies of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli. At the meeting, the participation of approximately 500 VIP guests from 70 countries to the commemoration ceremony in Çanakkale was emphasized.

Afterwards, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu met with Foreign Minister of New Zealand Murray McCully. At the meeting, bilateral political and economic relations, as well as preparations regarding the commemoration activities for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli were discussed. Furthermore, views were exchanged on Cyprus, Middle East Peace Process, developments in Syria and Iraq, Libya, cooperation and joint planning between the two countries concerning international aid.

Congratulating his counterpart for being elected in the United Nations Security Council, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that the visit, which is first after more than 20 years, bears immense significance.

Pointing out to the importance of bilateral relations, New Zealand Foreign Minister McCully emphasized that the relations will enter a special era on the occasion of the commemoration ceremonies for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli. Minister McCully also mentioned the prospect of the signature of a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. Expressing his wish for direct flights of Turkish Airlines to New Zealand, Foreign Minister McCully stated that a doctorate scholarship in the name of Turkish PhD student Didem Yaman, who died in 2011 Christchurch Earthquake, will be offered exclusively to Turkish students, which hopefully will be a step towards cooperation on education between Turkey and New Zealand.