29 Apr 2010

Defence minister meets top US general

1:17 pm on 29 April 2010

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp has met the United States' second highest ranking military officer in Wellington.

The Vice-Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General James Cartwright, is in the country for consultations with the New Zealand Defence Force.

Dr Mapp says the pair discussed the situation in Afghanistan and security in the Asia Pacific Region, and how the interaction between the US and New Zealand defence forces can be improved.

He says General Cartwright's visit is part of a pattern reflecting the improving relationship with the US since 2005.