Hear from New Zealand’s and the EU’s Chief Negotiators

Find out direct from Chief Negotiators how negotiations are progressing for an EU-NZ free trade agreement at a lunchtime session on Wednesday 15 May, Cliftons Wellington (Level 28, 100 Willis St) from 12.30pm.

 

We’ve set aside plenty of time at the end of the session for Q&A, so come along to talk about the issues that matter to you and ask any questions you have.

This event is open to the public. If you’d like to attend, please register for the session here.

Update on negotiations

Negotiations for an EU-New Zealand free trade agreement have started well this year, with Round 3 held in Brussels in late February. We are making good progress in many areas of the negotiations and hope tobe able to reach agreement on some chapters soon.  Initial goods market access offers were exchanged in early February and negotiators have agreed toexchange offers on services, investment, and government procurement before thenext round in May 2019.

 

A summary report on Round 3 can be found here.  A link to EU negotiating proposals is herewhile four New Zealand proposals are available onour website here.

 

Wellington is hosting the next round of negotiations from 13-17 May,before we return to Brussels in July for round 5.

 

Negotiating milestones

• Early     February –  exchange of initial goods market access offers
• 18-22     February -  Round 3, Brussels
• May  - exchange of offers for services, investment and government procurement
• 13-17     May – Round 4,  Wellington
• 8-12 July – Round 5,  Brussels

 

GIs Consultation

Geographical indications (GIs) are a major interest for the EU in the negotiations.  There is a key linkage to New Zealand’s market access aspirations in the FTA for agricultural products.  In order to promote progress in the negotiations:

• We called for submissions in December 2018 on the EU’s proposed list of GIs that  they want protected under the agreement. 
• We also asked for nominations on New Zealand names that could be considered as GIs for protection in the EU. 
• We hosted workshops for interested parties in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
• This  consultation ended on 19 March, and we will publish a summary of  submissions on our website in due course. 
• We expect  to hold further consultation on the framework/scope of protection for GIs in New Zealand later in the year.
• You can find more  details about the GIs consultation here.

 

Get in touch

Please get in touch with us at any time if you have any questions or comments about the EU-NZ FTA. We are also happy to meet with individuals,groups and businesses to talk about the EU-NZ FTA – here in Wellington or anywhere around the country.   If you are interested, please email usat [email protected].

 

Kind regards,

 

EU-NZ free tradeagreement team

Trade Negotiations Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere

 

Email  [email protected]

 

195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901
Wellington 6160

New Zealand

www.mfat.govt.nz | www.safetravel.govt.nz

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