Prime Minister Mark Brown of the Cook Islands has expressed concerns that New Zealand is requesting excessive oversight regarding their upcoming agreement with China, which is set to be finalized in Beijing next week.
In a recent statement, Brown emphasized that the relationship between the Cook Islands and New Zealand is reciprocal. He pointed out that New Zealand did not seek consultation when it established its own partnership agreement with China, and he sees no reason for New Zealand to be involved in their negotiations.
“There’s no need for New Zealand to be present as we finalize our agreement with China,” he asserted. “We have kept them informed, but the level of consultation they’re asking for is unnecessary.”
From February 10 to 14, Brown will be in China to sign the “Joint Action Plan for a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.” The Cook Islands operates under a free association with New Zealand, allowing it to manage its own affairs while New Zealand provides support in foreign relations, defense, and disaster response.
New Zealand has requested increased consultation regarding the specifics of the agreement with China. Foreign Minister Winston Peters noted that neither New Zealand nor the Cook Islands has been informed about the nature of the arrangements being discussed.
Brown reassured New Zealand multiple times that the new agreement would not negatively affect their relationship or introduce unexpected elements, particularly regarding security. He indicated that the contents of the agreement would be disclosed once finalized, likening it to a similar agreement New Zealand signed with China in 2014.
The primary focus of the agreement will be on areas of cooperation, including deep-sea mining research and the pressing need for a new inter-island vessel to replace the aging fleet.
Additionally, Brown has retracted a controversial proposal regarding Cook Islands passports following pressure from New Zealand, clarifying that new legislation would unfairly penalize Cook Islanders seeking dual citizenship with New Zealand.
While acknowledging that there are areas of disagreement between the two nations, Brown maintained that the overall relationship remains strong. He stated, “We can agree to disagree, but that doesn’t mean our relationship is broken.”
The issue of a Cook Islands-flagged vessel carrying Russian oil that was recently seized by Finnish authorities has also added strain to their relationship. Peters’ office noted that the Cook Islands shipping registry is a point of contention between the two countries. Brown confirmed that they are collaborating with Maritime Cook Islands to ensure compliance with international sanctions against Russia and will make necessary amendments based on ongoing investigations.
库克群岛总理批评新西兰对中国协议的过度监督要求
库克群岛总理马克·布朗表示，新西兰对即将在北京签署的与中国的协议提出了过多的监督要求。
布朗在最近的声明中强调，库克群岛与新西兰的关系是相互的。他指出，新西兰在与中国建立自己的伙伴关系协议时并未寻求咨询，他认为新西兰没有理由参与他们的谈判。
“在我们与中国敲定协议时，新西兰没有必要在场，”他表示。“我们已将情况告知他们，但他们所要求的咨询程度是不必要的。”
布朗将于2月10日至14日访问中国，签署“全面战略伙伴关系联合行动计划”。库克群岛与新西兰处于自由联合关系，允许其管理自己的事务，而新西兰则在外交、国防和灾难应对方面提供支持。
新西兰要求对与中国协议的具体内容进行更多咨询。外交部长温斯顿·彼得斯指出，新西兰和库克群岛都未获知正在讨论的安排的性质。
布朗多次向新西兰保证，新协议不会对两国关系产生负面影响，也不会引入意外因素，特别是在安全方面。他表示，协议的具体内容将在最终确定后公布，并将其比作新西兰在2014年与中国签署的类似协议。
该协议的主要重点将是合作领域，包括深海采矿研究和急需更换老旧的岛际船只。
此外，布朗在面临新西兰压力后撤回了一项关于库克群岛护照的争议提案，明确表示新立法将不公平地惩罚寻求与新西兰双重国籍的库克群岛公民。
虽然承认两国之间存在分歧，布朗仍然认为整体关系依然牢固。他表示：“我们可以在某些问题上意见不合，但这并不意味着我们的关系破裂。”
最近，一艘悬挂库克群岛旗帜的船只因携带俄罗斯石油而被芬兰当局扣押，这一事件也对两国关系造成了压力。彼得斯的办公室指出，库克群岛的船舶登记是两国之间的争议点。布朗确认，他们正在与库克群岛海事局合作，确保遵守国际对俄罗斯的制裁，并将在调查结果的基础上进行必要的修订。
