New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key will arrive here Tuesday to hold wide-ranging talks on bilateral and regional issues with high-ranking Saudi officials. He will the first New Zealand prime minister to visit Saudi Arabia.

“Key will be in Riyadh on April 28 and 29,” Greg Lewis, spokesman for the New Zealand Embassy, told Arab News on Friday.

A range of meetings have been scheduled with senior government leaders in Saudi Arabia. “These meetings in the Kingdom and other two Gulf states will provide an opportunity to discuss economic relationship and also, given our seat on the UN Security Council, it is timely to discuss the complex security issues facing the Middle East,” said Key, in a statement before his departure.

“New Zealand stands ready to reinvigorate the Middle East peace process,” he said.

As New Zealand prepares for its presidency of the UN Security Council in July, it must set an example by focusing particularly on regional turmoil that has hampered peace and security of the Middle East, including the Gulf states.

“We have reinforced our commitment to this region in recent years with the opening of our embassy in Abu Dhabi, and the expansion of offices in Dubai and Riyadh,” he said. “The UAE and Kuwait have also recently opened embassies in New Zealand.”

The premier’s Gulf tour from April 26 to May 1 would also provide an opportunity to progress the conclusion of the New Zealand-GCC free trade agreement, Key said.

“A priority for me will be talking to top figures in the region about the importance of progressing New Zealand’s free trade agreement with the GCC,” reiterated Key.