Tens of thousands of people died in the 2023 Turkish earthquakes. Photo: AFP / Adem Altan
New Zealand's National Emergency Management Authority and its Turkish counterpart agency have signed a cooperation agreement to help each other during natural disasters.
The agreement was signed following top-level diplomatic meetings between Foreign Minister Winston Peters, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Istanbul.
According to Peters' office, conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific were discussed, along with trade issues.
The meetings came after Peters spoke at the Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli this week.
He said New Zealand and Türkiye's shared historical experience at Gallipoli was pivotal in shaping relations between the two countries.
"Our relationship continues to strengthen through cooperation in areas such as trade and disaster management."
New Zealand and Türkiye had "a long history of coming to each other's aid and cooperation in times of natural disasters", including after the February 2023 Turkish earthquakes, Peters said.
Visiting Gallipoli for Anzac commemorations was a "sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy" for de-escalating conflict, he said.
"We must heed the lessons of history and redouble our collective resolve to do better. It is more important now than it has ever been."
