(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday expressed his gratitude to New Zealand Prime Minister John Key for his country’s support for the Mindanao peace process during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Chief Executive Officers’ Summit in Beijing, President Aquino updated Prime Minister Key on the government's efforts to build back better for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said. "We commended the pace of relations with New Zealand, particularly the expansion of air links between the Philippines and that country," del Rosario said during a media briefing at the Philippine embassy here.

"We thanked New Zealand for its support for the peace process and the President briefed the Prime Minister on the various efforts to move forward with the legislation requirement," he added.

He said the Philippines has sought New Zealand's support for the local dairy industry, as well as technical assistance to improve the production of mussels in the Philippines.

In turn, Prime Minister Key thanked the Philippines for its support for New Zealand’s candidacy in the United Nations Security Council, del Rosario said.