Afghan foreign minister visits New Zealand

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully held talks with his Afghan counterpart, Zalmai Rassoul in Wellington on Monday.McCully and Rassoul discussed New Zealand's ongoing commitments to Afghanistan, including providing trainers to the Afghan National Army Officer Academy and personnel to the ISAF Special Operations Forces headquarters.They also discussed New Zealand's ongoing development programme in Bamyan."A new chapter in our countries' relationship is about to begin, with New Zealand withdrawing its Provincial Reconstruction Team ( PRT) from Bamyan province in April, in line with the transition process," McCully said in a statement.New Zealand has led the PRT in Bamyan since 2003 and has contributed to international counter-terrorism efforts and improved security, development and governance in the province.New Zealand remains committed to Afghanistan and will continue to play its part in international efforts to support the country, McCully said.While in New Zealand, Rassoul will also meet New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman