New Zealand FM to bolster UN Security Council bid in Africa, Europe

New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully left Monday on a two-week tour of African and Europe to garner support for New Zealand's bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council in 2015-2016.

In Africa, McCully is to visit South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Mauritius and Mozambique, and meet the Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Commission.

"Africa is the centre of remarkable growth and is of growing importance to New Zealand. Our agricultural expertise is of particular interest in southern Africa," McCully said in a statement.

He will head to Brussels to attend NATO meetings on Afghanistan and debrief New Zealand's partners on the withdrawal of the Provincial Reconstruction Team from Bamyan Province.

"We will also discuss the transfer of security responsibility to the government of Afghanistan, as well as New Zealand's continued contribution to the country," he said.

McCully will also visit Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Malta and San Marino.

"Europe is one of our major political and trading partners. This visit is a chance to further strengthen our relationships across the continent."