New Zealand - Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

Overview

On 9 November 2010, New Zealand, Russia and its Customs Union partners Belarus and Kazakhstan agreed to commence negotiations on a comprehensive and modern Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This followed the completion of experts’ scoping discussions that began in June 2010.

Nine rounds of negotiations have been held so far, with the most recent being held in Moscow during July 2012. The atmosphere between the parties has been consistently positive and focused, and good progress has been made across the negotiation.

Background Information

At the APEC summit on 13 November 2010, Prime Minister John Key announced negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan which began early in 2011.

"Free trade deals offer real benefits for jobs and economic growth in New Zealand and I am very pleased to be able to announce the start of negotiations on the FTA" Mr Key said. See here for the PM's media release [external link].

The Prime Minister's announcement followed a meeting on 9 November 2010 between Trade Minister Groser and Russian Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina, at which a Joint Ministerial statement was agreed between New Zealand, Russia and its Customs Union partners Belarus and Kazakhstan to commence negotiations on a comprehensive and modern Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This followed the completion of experts’ scoping discussions that began in June 2010 and produced a roadmap for the FTA negotiations [PDF 33KB] endorsed by Ministers.

An FTA with Russia would present a unique opportunity for New Zealand to future-proof its relationship with the largest country in the world, and the 9th-largest economy. While New Zealand’s current trade with Russia is currently relatively modest, the relationship is one which has strong growth potential.

Areas of Negotiation

This FTA negotiation will cover a wide range of trade related issues; similar to other FTAs New Zealand has negotiated. Typically these include the following areas:

Trade in Goods: e.g:	Market Access
	Rules of Origin
	Customs Facilitation and Cooperation
	Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
	Technical Barriers to Trade
Trade in Services
Investment
Other Issues: e.g:	Intellectual Property
	Trade and Labour
	Trade and Environment
	Dispute Settlement

Further questions?

Please direct any questions you have about the FTA negotiations with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan to:

Matthew De Wit
Coordinator, Russia-Belarus-Kazakstan Customs Union FTA
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Private Bag 18901
Wellington

Email: Matthew.De Wit@mfat.govt.nz

Please direct any questions about New Zealand's bilateral relationships with Russia, Belarus, or Kazakhstan to:

Blake van Velden
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Private Bag 18901
Wellington

Email: blake.vanvelden@mfat.govt.nz