Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi (photo), UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs, and Ron Mark, New Zealand’s Defense Minister, have discussed bilateral relations between the two countries.

The two sides also reviewed, through virtual communication, the latest development of COVID-19 outbreak and the importance of coordinating and unifying efforts to curb its impact.

Al Bowardi and Mark also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The two parties also discussed means to strengthen defense and military cooperation between the UAE and New Zealand, Emirates news agency WAM reported.

In another development, the Ministry of Health in New Zealand declared on Monday that the country has no known active cases of COVID-19.

The last remaining case, a woman from Auckland, has now been symptom free for 48 hours and is regarded as recovered, the German news agency, DPA, reported citing the Ministry.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said the person was now able to leave isolation.

“This is really good news for the person concerned, and it's also something the rest of New Zealand can take heart from. Having no active cases for the first time since February was a significant mark in our journey”, Bloomfield said.

“But as we’ve previously said, ongoing vigilance against COVID-19 will continue to be essential”, he added.

It has now been 17 days since the last new case of COVID-19 was reported in New Zealand.

The country has reported a total of 1,504 confirmed and probable cases, with a death toll of 22 people.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday that all coronavirus measures in the country will be lifted from Tuesday 09 June, barring border closure restrictions, as the virus had been eliminated from the country.

She said public and private events can go on without restrictions, retail and hospitality sectors can operate normally, and all public transport can resume.