New ambassador for Egypt named

Career diplomat David Strachan is New Zealand's next Ambassador to Egypt.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully said Mr Strachan would also be cross-accredited to Libya, the League of Arab States, and the African Union.

New Zealand's relationship with Egypt was excellent, Mr McCully said.

"We work closely together on nuclear disarmament issues in the New Agenda Coalition, and in multilateral organisations such as the World Trade Organisation. Egypt is also our third largest Middle East market, taking exports of $249 million annually, principally dairy products.

"New Zealand actively supports the efforts of countries such as Egypt in promoting stability in the Middle East, having participated in the Sinai Multinational Force and Observers, which monitors the border between Egypt and Israel, since its establishment in 1982."

Mr Strachan currently heads the Asia division regional unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and has previously served in Jakarta, Seoul and Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea). In Cairo he takes over from Rene Wilson, who is returning to Wellington.

- NZPA