McCully to go to Jordan to discuss Syria, Isis

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Foreign Minister Murray McCully is to travel to Jordan to discuss the crisis in Syria and the on-going threat of the Islamic State terror group.

He will also go to Ethiopia to attend the 24th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa.

"This Summit is attended by ministers from nearly all of the 54 African Union states and allows New Zealand to engage directly on issues like regional security, agricultural cooperation, and renewable energy," Mr McCully said.

"As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, New Zealand is committed to listening to all states on matters that come before the Council, and the AU Summit is a chance to hear directly from African leaders."

Following the AU Summit, which runs from January 26-27, Mr McCully will visit Jordan, to discuss regional security issues.

"New Zealand and Jordan are currently serving together on the Security Council. This visit provides an opportunity to discuss the situation in Syria, ISIL, and the Middle East Peace Process," he said.

"Jordan is seeing first-hand the impact the crisis in Syria is having on the wider region, and its perspective on addressing this pressing humanitarian situation is particularly valuable."