EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and New Zealand's Foreign Minister Murray McCully signed a partnership agreement on Wednesday 5 October to boost relations and cooperation between the EU and New Zealand.
The partnership aims to boost political dialogue between the two sides and consolidate economic and trade cooperation. The agreement is not restricted to purely political or trade questions, explained the European External Action Service, since it will also cover science and innovation, culture, education, migration, the fight against terrorism and cyber crime, and legal cooperation.
Mogherini said that the partnership reflected ever closer friendship and cooperation, which have been expanding over recent years between the EU and New Zealand, and there was a real growth potential. McCully said that New Zealand was looking forward to implementing the partnership agreement and boosting its commitment in years to come.
The EU and New Zealand can now focus on negotiating a free-trade deal, the preparations for which began in February (see EUROPE 11491). (Original version in French by Thomas Régnier)