27/02/2019 (Agence Europe) – A third round of negotiations to seal a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between New Zealand and the European Union took place in Brussels the week of 18-22 February 2019. At this meeting, negotiators covered almost all aspects of the future FTA, mainly on the basis of textual proposals submitted by the EU. The cycle also included an initial discussion on the respective market access offers for goods. Since their official launch in June 2018, negotiations have continued at a steady pace: the parties hope to conclude the talks this very year (see EUROPE 12180). However, the visit in mid-February of Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan to the Oceania country to prepare the ground for negotiations on agricultural products heralds more difficult discussions on these topics. The fourth cycle is scheduled for May 2019. (HD)