Prime Minister Manuel Valls - who became a French citizen only at the age of 20 - is greeted at Auckland Airport. His is the first visit by a French premier since 1991. Photo / Greg Bowker
Prime Minister Manuel Valls - who became a French citizen only at the age of 20 - is greeted at Auckland Airport. His is the first visit by a French premier since 1991. Photo / Greg Bowker
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls says the infrequency of visits to New Zealand by French leaders does not reflect the relationship, which he describes as "excellent".
No president has ever come here, and the last time a French Prime Minister visited was in 1991. Michel Rocard came to help restorerelations which had been shattered by French agents bombing the Rainbow Warrior nuclear-testing protest vessel moored in central Auckland.
"But as Michel Rocard said in 1991: 'Today, without forgetting the past, we must look to the future.' It is precisely the objective of my visit: to ensure that our two countries look, together, towards the future."
A reforming Prime Minister with only two years in the job, Mr Valls will be discussing a proposed free trade deal between Europe and New Zealand with Prime Minister John Key as well as meeting business leaders.
"I believe that France has a lot to learn from New Zealand and from her economic stakeholders," he said.
"I will therefore meet a number of Kiwi chief executives to hear their thoughts on reforms my Government is implementing, to make the French economy more competitive and attractive."
Mr Valls was appointed by Socialist President Francoise Hollande two years ago after their party suffered heavy defeats in local body elections.
