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On 30 April in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia, the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Rt Hon Winston Peters met the Slovenian Foreign Minister, Dr Dimitrij Rupel, for the six-monthly consultations New Zealand has with the European Union Presidency and the European Commission. Slovenia is the current holder of the EU’s rotating presidency.
In September 2007 New Zealand and the European Union concluded the Joint Declaration on Relations and Cooperation. This round of consultations provided an opportunity for a discussion on the advances in the relationship since then, including on trade and economic relations, education, research, science and technology, as well as consideration of future steps. The ministers noted that an agreement on science and technology cooperation is due to be concluded soon, and that agreements on air services and wine trade are under consideration.
Ministers also discussed cooperation between New Zealand and the EU on global issues including interfaith and intercultural dialogue (2008 is European Year of Intercultural Dialogue), climate change, the situation in Kosovo, Afghanistan and the Middle East, and relations in the Asia-Pacific region.
The next round of consultations with the European Union Presidency are scheduled for the second half of 2008 in Paris.
The inaugural round of trade talks between New Zealand and the European Commission took place in Brussels on 7 November, back to back with this year’s round of agricultural trade talks. These talks were mandated in the Joint Declaration on Relations and Cooperation between New Zealand and the European Union adopted in September.
The trade talks provided an opportunity to consider how New Zealand and the EU can work more closely together on economic and trade issues. Discussions covered ongoing developments in the WTO Doha negotiations and the EU and New Zealand’s free trade agreement programmes. The talks also explored issues relating to investment policy in a post-Doha context.
New Zealand and the EU agreed to work closely to strengthen their bilateral trade relations. The Joint Declaration notes that both parties will keep under review the possibility of negotiating a broader framework for trade and economic relations in the future. These talks provided a firm base for building such a framework.
The Agricultural Trade Talks covered a range of policy and market access issues of mutual interest. A detailed discussion was held with European Commission officials on issues relating to climate change and sustainability in agriculture.
The President of Ireland, HE Mary McAleese, made a state visit to New Zealand 28 October – 3 November. Following a formal welcome at Government House in Wellington, the President had consultations with the Prime Minister and attended a state luncheon. These discussions highlighted the close traditional and kinship links between New Zealand and Ireland, and the extent which we can work together in international affairs, in particular in disarmament and climate change. EU membership is a vital part of Ireland’s international outlook, and the discussions also highlighted the ways in which Ireland could become an important point of engagement for New Zealand with the EU. The President noted the changes which had taken place in Ireland over recent years, economically and socially. The peace process in Northern Ireland was also a key focus, and the President acknowledged New Zealand’s support over the years, particularly through involvement in the International Fund for Ireland. A film co-production agreement between New Zealand and Ireland was also signed. The President travelled to Dunedin where she received an honorary doctorate from Otago University. In Auckland the President attended a Luncheon of Significance raising funds for the preservation of historic huts in Antarctica. She announced at that event a NZ$100,000 contribution to that project. The President also made a call at Maori Television, emphasising New Zealand and Ireland’s common interest in protecting and enhancing use of our indigenous languages. Interaction with the local Irish community was a significant part of the visit and the President and delegation met large crowds at Irish society events in Wellington, the Hutt Valley, Dunedin and Auckland.top of page
Prime Minister Helen Clark and NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer signed an agreement on 3 October allowing exchange of classified information between New Zealand and NATO.
"New Zealand and NATO have a shared interest in peace, security and development.
"Exchange of information is critical to practical cooperation. Importantly, it will help enhance the safety of deployed personnel.
"It will allow New Zealand and NATO personnel to share expertise and improve our ability to work alongside each other.
"We first worked with NATO in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s.
"Cooperation has expanded since then. New Zealand and NATO are now both working together, assisting the Afghan government to build peace by improving security and facilitating development throughout Afghanistan.
"A collaborative effort is crucial if we are to be successful in Afghanistan and in future endeavours together,” Helen Clark said.
The New Zealand-NATO information exchange agreement allows for the exchange of classified information on a regular basis.
The agreement provides that each party will protect and safeguard each other’s information.
On 3 October Prime Minister Helen Clark signed an agreement in Brussels confirming New Zealand’s participation in the European Union’s police mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL).
"The security situation in Afghanistan remains of major concern.
"Improving the capacity and capability of the Afghan police is crucial to Afghanistan’s long-term stability and development.
"In joining EUPOL, New Zealand will work in conjunction with the EU, United States and other national policing missions to improve harmonisation and standardisation of police practice in Afghanistan,” Helen Clark said.top of page
New Zealand Police maintains a deployment of three officers in Afghanistan attached to the New Zealand provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in Bamyan.
The team provides one officer in a mentoring role for the provincial police chief and other senior Afghan police, and two to oversee training in the Bamyan regional training centre (RTC).
New Zealand officers have worked in conjunction with both EUPOL’s predecessor mission, led by Germany, and with the US police programme. Transfer to EUPOL operational control does not require any significant change to the New Zealand Police’s current roles, or any additional funding.
New Zealand assistance to Afghanistan, both military and development, is more than NZ$160 million.
New Zealand Defence Force deployments in Afghanistan total around 130 personnel.
NZAID funds a mix of national and provincial assistance programmes, with a focus on human rights, women, alternative rural livelihoods, education and health care.
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On 27 June 2007 European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner delivered the annual Europa lecture at Te Papa Museum in Wellington. The Commissioner’s lecture was entitled “The European Union and New Zealand – New Perspectives” and emphasised the strength of the partnership between New Zealand and Europe. She said that the EU and New Zealand were “taking our partnership to a new level and focussing on some of the key issues confronting us in the 21st century”. She said that the EU “looked to New Zealand and other like-minded friends” to be “partners” in a world in which “influence, prosperity and the burden of international responsibility is shared”. The Commissioner highlighted three key areas where the EU wants to do more with New Zealand:
The full text of the lecture (external link to Europa website)
During her visit to New Zealand the Commissioner met the Prime Minister Helen Clark, the Minister of Trade, Phil Goff and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters. Discussions covered New Zealand’s relations with Europe, and international and regional affairs. Ferrero-Waldner affirmed the EU’s deep concern about ongoing developments in Fiji.
The Commissioner also visited the Pataka museum in Porirua for a Pacific cultural display by Whitirea Polytechnic. top of page
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade produces and maintains information papers for certain countries and territories throughout the world. The papers countain information on the bilateral relationship and also general information on the country or territory as well as links to related information on other government websites.
The EU is our second largest market after Australia and takes some 15 percent of our total exports valued at NZ$5.296 billion (June 2007). It is our largest, highest value and in many cases our fastest growing market for key products like butter, sheepmeat, apples, and kiwifruit.
Russia had healthy growth rates in 2006 and its lowest inflation rate for 15 years. Lower inflation was achieved by allowing the rouble to appreciate, which would have been inevitable anyway given the strong flows of capital into Russia.
New Zealand has representation in the following European countries:
New Zealand also has over 20 Honorary Consuls in European cities.
The Ministry's Safetravel website is designed to help make your overseas travel experience safe by providing guidance on how to prepare for your travel, and what to do if trouble strikes you overseas. The website contains general travel advice, as well as specific travel advisories for particular areas. Please follow the link for the Europe regional page.
