EUROPEAN UNION

Delegation of the European Commission to New Zealand

25 June 2007

European Union and New Zealand set out new agenda for bilateral relations

EU Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner to visit New Zealand

On 27 and 28 June 2007, European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, will pay an official visit to New Zealand to prepare the ground for a new partnership framework which provides the framework for relations between the European Union and New Zealand and which will be launched in September. During her visit she will meet among others with the Prime Minister Helen Clark, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Winston Peters and the Minister of Defence, Phil Goff. The situation in the Asia-Pacific region, global challenges like climate change and energy security as well as further international topics like the Middle East will be in the centre of the talks.

External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner commented before her visit: “I am looking forward to this my first visit to New Zealand as the European Commissioner for External Relations which underlines the commitment of the European Union to the relationship with New Zealand. We will be setting the path for our new partnership which takes account of global developments. We share the same goals and values with regard to the respect for human rights, democracy and peace and stability. This is the sound base not only of our relationship but also of our cooperation in a range of issues, including increasing security in the Asia-Pacific region and climate change. "

The European Union is an open and dynamic player on the world stage of foreign and security policy. As the Union develops the EU has more to offer its partners, in political cooperation, as well as in trade relations. New Zealand and the EU have common strategic interests in securing a stable Asia Pacific region. The EU has been heavily involved in Indonesia where it has played an important role in establishing, securing and now maintaining peace in Aceh. In East Timor, an EU election observation mission is currently on the ground for Saturday's parliamentary elections.

Energy security and climate change are high on the EU's agenda with all its international partners. The EU is keen to work with New Zealand fight climate change, to improve energy security and to seek an international agreement on an effective post Kyoto system. Through the bilateral science and technology agreement collaborative work on clean technologies, renewable energies and climate change research can be supported.

The European Union will make its own contribution to addressing the challenge of climate change through a package of ambitious measures adopted in March which commits EU Member States to a reduction 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, irrespective what other countries are doing.

New Zealand is a valued partner of the European Community in air transport policy. The signature of the Horizontal Agreement in the field of air transport was an important first step in our aviation relations. The European Commission is seeking a negotiating mandate from EU Member States to open talks on a more ambitious air transport agreement that would fully liberalize air services between the EU and New Zealand.

Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner comes to New Zealand fresh on the heels of the European Council Summit in Brussels where the key issue of discussion was the future direction for Europe.

Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner's CV available at: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/ferrero-waldner/profile/index_en.htm

ENDS

© Scoop Media