The Royal New Zealand Navy’s recent diplomatic visit to Russia laid the foundations for a relationship that New Zealand can build on, says Maritime Component Commander Commodore Jack Steer.
The Navy’s two ships, HMNS Te Mana and Endeavour, which toured the Asia Pacific region, returned home recently after four and a half months exercising with allies in SE Asia, and completing a round of diplomatic visits, including Russia, China and Japan.
The ships’ visit to Russia was the first ever by a New Zealand warship, and it was a great success, says Commodore Steer.
As Maritime Component Commander he is responsible for the operation of the Navy’s force elements. He joined the ships in Vladivostok, and held discussions with his Russian counterparts.
The visit to Russia coincided with the commemorations for the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, and the celebration of the anniversary of the Russian Federation’s independence.
"HMNZS Te Mana was a perfect venue, a small piece of New Zealand, on which to invite a variety of guests, including Russian military personnel and representatives of New Zealand’s trading partners. Members of the ship’s company were excellent ambassadors for New Zealand, too. They welcomed their counterparts as sailors always welcome sailors, but it was more than that. They demonstrated a degree of friendship and professionalism that did New Zealand proud."
The ships berthed at Vladivostok, which is the headquarters of the Russian Pacific Fleet. While in Vladivostock the sailors and officers, apart from their official duties, supported a local home for abandoned children run by a New Zealand ex-pat, painting the building and helping with minor maintenance.
New Zealand’s defence ties with Russia have been limited in recent years, and the breaking of new ground in the ships’ visit is considered an important development in the New Zealand bilateral Defence relationship. The recently developed Russia Strategy endorsed by the Prime Minister Helen Clark last year recommends that New Zealand give priority to developing its trade and economic ties with Russia, while strengthening the political relationship.
Commodore Steer said a good relationship between defence forces invariably assists relationships between countries. "And Russia, like New Zealand, is very concerned with security and stability in the Asia Pacific region. The visit by our Navy, and the enhancement of our relationship, went some way towards demonstrating our commitment to this."
Officers and sailors from the New Zealand ships visited Russian ships at Vladivostok, and their Russian counterparts, and other invited guests reciprocated, sampling New Zealand food and wine prepared by the ship’s chefs, and being entertained by the ship’s Maori Cultural Group. Commodore Steer met the Russian Pacific Fleet Commander, Admiral Fyodorov, and laid a wreath with him at the War Memorial to commemorate the anniversary of WW II’s end.
The New Zealand ships also supported the World Expo 2005 in Aichi, Japan during their deployment, and spent a weekend in Shanghai, China. These visits were also aimed at increasing New Zealand’s profile, and are part of the Government’s diplomatic aims in the region.
Russian and New Zealand Naval officers and sailors on parade.
Commodore Steer, right, greets Russian Pacific Fleet deputy commander Admiral Popov.
Te Mana sailors meet one of their Russian counterparts.