Queen, NZ PM to hold talks on SL

21 September 2013 09:46 am Views - 6676

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Queen Elizabeth II are to discuss about Sri Lanka which is hosting the next Commonwealth heads of Government meeting in November, One news Channel reported.

Prime Minister Key and his family are enjoying a lavish with the Queen at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

One place they will be discussing is Sri Lanka which is hosting the next Commonwealth heads of Government meeting in November. The Queen will miss it for the first time in four decades. She is sending Prince Charles.

Canada's Prime Minister threatens to boycott CHOGM over human rights abuses by Sri Lanka's government.

Mr Key said: "They've taken a view and we respect that. But from New Zealand's point of view I guess the question you'd ask is 'what would be gained in us not going?'"

Some might question if his decision to go has more to do with the support Sri Lanka has given in hosing down protests against New Zealand milk powder exports.

"It's quite a big market from New Zealand's point of view. About half a billion dollars of Fonterra products sold into Sri Lanka," Mr Key said.

"But look, at the end of the day, there are lots of countries where we believe that they could make improvements and changes. And we advocate for those."