New Zealand government ministers will be discussing security issues in Syria, Afghanistan and the Asia-Pacific region with visiting British Minister for International Security Strategy Andrew Murrison this week.

"This visit is also a useful opportunity to discuss a number of defense issues and areas of mutual interest, from the current situation in Afghanistan and Syria, to security in the Asia Pacific region," New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman said Thursday.

"The UK is an important defense and security partner. Our relationship is built on shared history, mutual values and interests. We regularly work together on exercises, training programs, exchanges and deployments," Coleman said in a statement.

The New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) had five personnel deployed to the Britain-led Afghan National Army Officer Training Academy in Afghanistan and 11 personnel embedded in British units on exchange, while 11 British personnel were in New Zealand.

"We also work with the UK on procurement, and we achieved economies of scale with our purchase of 200 new trucks. The NZDF takes delivery of its first Medium Heavy Operational Vehicles early next month," said Coleman.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson would also meet with Murrison, who is also the British Special Representative for the Centenary Commemoration of the First World War, to discuss the commemoration program for next year.

"It is important that New Zealanders are able to take part in these commemorations to reflect on the events and impacts of the First World War," Finlayson said in the statement.

Murrison is visiting Auckland and Wellington on Oct. 3 and 4.

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