New Zealand’s prime minister meets with top EU officials

New Zealand's prime minister held meetings on 10 January 2017 with both the president of the European Council and the president of the European Commission. This was his first visit abroad as head of government.

Trade relations between the country and the European Union were the highlight of these meetings. The launch of free trade negotiations was agreed in October 2015 and both sides wished for a quick conclusion of talks. However, issues relating to security and defence policies, as well as migration, were also discussed.

New Zealand and the European Union signed a Partnership Agreement on Relations and Cooperation (PARC) in October 2016, providing the framework for the relations between them.

• Primary Source

Radio New Zealand, 11.01.17: Bill English talks free trade with EU President http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/322166/bill-english-talks-free-trade-with-eu-president

ESO: Background information: EU's relations with New Zealand http://www.europeansources.info/record/eus-relations-with-new-zealand/

EurActiv, 11.01.17: EU, New Zealand seek swift trade talks http://www.euractiv.com/section/trade-society/news/eu-new-zealand-seek-swift-start-to-trade-talks-and-rapid-end/

NZ Herald, 11.01.17: NZ to benefit from Trump/Brexit? http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11780508

The Independent, 09.01.17: New Zealand should scrap EU agricultural talks in favour of trade with post-Brexit Britain, says Kiwi MP http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/new-zealand-scrap-eu-agricultural-talks-trade-post-brexit-britain-kiwi-mp-fletcher-tabuteau-a7517866.html

Politico, 09.01.17: EU-New Zealand trade deal in ‘deep trouble’ http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-new-zealand-trade-deal-in-deep-trouble/

EurActiv, 16.01.17: New Zealand PM pushes for quick start to EU trade talks http://www.euractiv.com/section/trade-society/news/new-zealand-pm-pushes-for-quick-start-to-eu-trade-talks/

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