Ontmoeting tussen ministers uit EU en Nieuw-Zeeland (en)

Met dank overgenomen van Oostenrijks Voorzitterschap Europese Unie 1e helft 2006 i, gepubliceerd op dinsdag 18 april 2006.

EU Troika on Foreign Minister level with New Zealand

Today, 18 April, there was a meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers Troika with New Zealand in Vienna, at which, in addition to Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, her New Zealand colleague Winston Peters and the EU Commissioner for Foreign Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner i, took part.

The main topic of conversation was relations between the EU and New Zealand. "In spite of the geographic distance, New Zealand is a neighbour to the European Union through our shared value system and closely connected to us in many central points. We share engagement and commitment to effective multilateralism, to the role of the United Nations, to protection of human rights and to a sustainable environmental policy", said Plassnik, pointing out that New Zealand and the EU have traditionally cooperated closely in these areas.

The talks also concerned regional development in the Asia-Pacific region and especially in the South Pacific. "New Zealand is a central actor in the South Pacific and is involved in strengthening regional integration in the Asia-Pacific region. The EU would like to develop its political and economic involvement in the South Pacific. The goal is to contribute to greater stability, economic development and responsible government in the region. In our involvement we will liaise even more closely with New Zealand in future", Plassnik declared. In connection with the upcoming elections in the Fiji Islands, the EU will, for the first time, be sending an election observer mission into the region.

With regard to a so-called "Working Holiday Agreement", that would annually permit a certain number of young citizens of each country to be employed during their holidays in the other country, Plassnik declared that Austria is aware of New Zealand's wishes in this matter, but that such an agreement requires careful analysis.