Europa Lecture and Diplomatic Series 2005
Goff Takes Measure of EU Impact on New Zealand

The National Centre for Research on Europe will mark Europe Day, May 9, with its annual Europa Lecture, this year delivered by the Hon. Phil Goff, New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, at 5:30 p.m. in Bellamy’s Provincial Council Buildings.

Europe Day commemorates the 1950 Schuman Declaration that launched the idea of European integration and lead to the formation of the European Union (EU). Goff's lecture will be the first of many Europe Day celebrations taking place around the world.

The EU -- New Zealand’s second most important partner for trade, investment and tourism -- has undergone tremendous change since Goff opened the (former) Centre for Research on Europe in 2000. In his address, Goff will consider the emerging impact the change has had on New Zealand one year after the EU’s enlargement to 25 Member States. He will also offer a perspective on the next enlargement, of Romania and Bulgaria in 2007, as well as the prospect that both Turkey and the Ukraine could join the Union within a decade.

This is the NCRE’s 5th Europa lecture; previous speakers include Prime Minister Helen Clark and Chris Patten, European Commissioner for External Relations.

Those interested in attending Hon. Phil Goff’s lecture, please RSVP to the NCRE office by 5 p.m. on May 2.

The Diplomatic Series continues later in the month with public talks in the NCRE’s Room 244 on the second floor of the University of Canterbury Geography building:

May 20, 2.10 pm
• H.E. Mr Lech Mastalerz – Polish Ambassador to New Zealand
May 27, 2.10 pm
• H.E. Mr Erich Riedler – German Ambassador to New Zealand
June 3, 2.10 pm
• Mr Martin Williamson – Deputy High Commissioner, British High Commission

ENDS

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Specialising in the EU’s impact on the Asia-Pacific region, the NCRE is New Zealand's only policy think-tank and academic research centre devoted to the EU.

The Centre is a multi-disciplinary Centre of Academic Excellence and Expertise that operates nationally, uniting students and scholars from a wide range of fields to research and study European issues. It has significant responsibility for the European Union's outreach efforts within New Zealand and the Pacific. Raising a critical awareness of the EU, informing government, the media and public opinion are all equally important aspects of the NCRE's core function.

The Centre for Research on Europe was funded as a University of Canterbury New Initiative. Additional funds were provided in 2001 by the Delegation of the European Commission to New Zealand, Directorate General (Education) European Commission and the New Zealand - France Friendship Fund. At this time the Centre became the National Centre for Research on Europe.
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