EN Official Journal of the European Union C 32/1

JOINT DECLARATION ON RELATIONS AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND NEW ZEALAND

(2008/C 32/01)

The European Union and New Zealand (‘the Participants’),

— guided by their close historical, political, economic and cultural connections,

— encouraged by their shared commitment to human rights, fundamental freedoms, civil liberties and democracy,

— recognising the strong links that already exist,

— committed to addressing international conflicts in view of preserving or restoring peace and security,

— wishing to enhance consultations on bilateral and international issues of mutual interest, and to increase practical cooperation in areas of mutual interest,

— having regard to their common commitment to free and open market principles and the strengthening of the multilateral trading system in accordance with the aims and principles of the WTO, and the development of a healthy and prosperous world economy,

— taking account of the ‘Joint Declaration on Relations between New Zealand and the European Union’ of 1999 and the ‘New Zealand and the European Union: priorities for future cooperation’ document of 2004,

— having regard to the Participants' support for the protection and promotion of diversity of cultural expressions,

— recalling existing Agreements between the Participants,

have decided to consolidate as well as to broaden and deepen the overall framework of their relationship with a view to extending the already established cooperation further into the future.

COMMON GOALS

The Participants reaffirm their intention to further strengthen their partnership, in particular by working together to:

— support democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, within their own societies and internationally,

— support the maintenance of international peace and security, including through peace support operations,

— support the role of the United Nations and promote its effectiveness,

— support international efforts in non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control, and counter-terrorism,

— cooperate on development and governance issues, in particular in relation to countries in the South Pacific,

— promote free market principles for trade in goods and services and for investment, reject protectionism and work to expand and further strengthen the multilateral trading system within the WTO framework,

— promote sustainable development and the protection of the global environment including in particular the need to address the issue of climate change,

— encourage innovation, increased productivity and competitiveness,

— foster mutual knowledge and understanding between their peoples and of their cultures.

The existing basis for cooperation

1. The Participants had laid down priority areas for cooperation in the ‘Joint Declaration on Relations between New Zealand and the European Union’ of 1999. A joint statement, ‘New Zealand and the European Union: priorities for future cooperation’, also referred to as the European Union-New Zealand Action Plan, was made in 2004.

2. The Action Plan included a programme of consultation and cooperation across a range of areas that has since been carried out effectively. Consultations at ministerial and senior official level have provided regular opportunities to exchange views, raise issues of concern, and explore scope for enhanced cooperation. The Agreement on mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment between the Participants (MRA) and the Agreement between the European Community and New Zealand on sanitary measures applicable to trade in live animals and animal products were signed respectively in June 1998 and December 1996 and entered into effect respectively in 1999 and 2003. Areas of longstanding cooperation include science and technology, education, development cooperation and human rights.

3. This new Declaration builds on the Joint Declaration and the substantive achievements under the Action Plan. It includes further specific, practical proposals for cooperation and for strengthening the framework of the relationship.

4. The Participants resolve to promote and strengthen their relationship in the following areas:

High level contacts

5. In today's increasingly volatile and complex international environment, the value of dialogue and the exchange of information cannot be underestimated. Both Participants welcome the existing twice-yearly bilateral Ministerial Troika consultations. Moreover, regular contacts also take place between the President of the Commission, the European Union High Representative and the New Zealand Prime Minister. The participants also note the regular dialogue between the New Zealand Parliament and the European Parliament.

6. Both Participants expect these exchanges to continue on a regular basis. Opportunities will be sought for further dialogue through bilateral visits at Ministerial and Commissioner level and in the margins of international meetings. This will be supplemented with regular information exchange through diplomatic missions and in other fora.

Global and regional security, counter-terrorism and human rights

7. The Participants share the objective of promoting global peace and security through multi-lateral cooperation and respect for international law. We jointly support the central role of the United Nations and the work of other multinational institutions and regimes. We appreciate each other's efforts to mediate in difficult international and regional situations and give priority to resolving conflict by peaceful means.

8. The Participants will identify opportunities for closer dialogue and cooperation between the Participants on counter-terrorism. We are both committed to the ratification and implementation of all UN counter-terrorism conventions and protocols, as well as to the implementation of all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, including UNSCR 1373 (2001), and of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The Participants stand ready to assist third countries in meeting their international counter-terrorism obligations. Effective measures to counter terrorism and the protection of human rights are complementary and mutually reinforcing goals. We are committed to reducing the threat posed by terrorism and to addressing conditions that may be conducive to its spread. We support initiatives contributing to greater tolerance and understanding, including dialogue, between cultures, faiths and civilisations.

9. To be fully effective in their efforts, the Participants have taken concrete action and cooperated closely on the ground, for example through New Zealand's recently completed participation in the European Union-led stabilisation force in Bosnia-Herzegovina and through New Zealand participation in the EUPOL mission in Afghanistan. Both Participants will look to continue this practice of close, practical cooperation in similar crisis management and post-conflict stabilisation activities.

10. Respect for human rights and the rule of law are crucial in the promotion of peace and security. The Participants are both determined to work cooperatively for the protection and promotion of international human rights, as embodied in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights as well as in the core human rights conventions and their protocols. The Participants will continue annual consultations in troika format on international human rights issues, and will closely cooperate in international human rights fora, including the Human Rights Council.

11. The Participants share a common interest in supporting democracy, accountable governance and rule of law as a fundamental contribution to peace and security. Where possible they will work together to achieve this common interest.

12. The stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region is a priority for both Participants and is therefore a significant focus of political and security dialogues. We share the concern that some countries in the Pacific face particular challenges in these areas and we will work together to address this.

13. The Participants value their good cooperation as like-minded partners in the ASEAN Regional Forum and will continue their joint efforts to further strengthen the ARF as a regional forum for dialogue and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, including through developing its preventive diplomacy role. The Participants will continue exchanges through diplomatic channels on their respective cooperation with countries in the region, including ASEAN.

14. The Participants welcome the regular dialogue at ministerial and official levels on these issues and will hold informal senior officials' consultations on Common Foreign and Security Policy issues with appropriate EU interlocutors.

Movement of people

15. The incorporation of the Schengen Agreement into EC law has the potential to cut across the visa-free arrangements New Zealand has with all current European Union members, which permit New Zealanders to spend up to three months visa-free in each Member State. The European Union recognises the difficulties this could pose for travelling New Zealanders. The Commission confirms that the bilateral agreements that New Zealand has with Member States are in force and will remain so until new concrete actions are taken and enter into force to replace them. The Commission will consult fully with New Zealand with respect to any developments that could have implications for these bilateral agreements and work to reach a solution, based on reciprocity.

16. Also of importance in terms of mutual understanding are the reciprocal arrangements that enable young people to visit other countries for up to a year and take up work and study options while doing so — known as working holiday schemes. The visits that take place under these schemes represent a significant investment for the future. New Zealand now has such arrangements with thirteen European Union Member States and is working actively to conclude a number of others in accordance with national legislation and particularities.

Development cooperation

17. The Participants recognize that development and security are inter-dependent and that the elimination of poverty is hence critical to decreasing global and regional insecurity. In this light both Participants' development assistance programmes contribute towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and by the same token to a more stable, peaceful and prosperous world.

18. The Participants underscore that democracy, human rights, good governance and the rule of law are of prime importance for achieving sustainable development and call on all donors to support improved standards of public administration in recipient countries. In designing and implementing their respective development programmes both Participants recognise the importance of cooperation between donors of development assistance.

19. Addressing the development challenges in the Pacific region remains the focus of the New Zealand — European Union dialogue in this field. Both Participants recognise also the need for engagement with the Pacific island States if they are to address the unique challenges they face and to achieve, by the shared efforts of donor and recipient countries, greater stability and development in the region consistent with the objectives of the region's own Pacific Plan. The Participants therefore welcomed in mid-2006 the launch of a new European Union strategy for the Pacific and the announcement of continued European Union financial support for sustainable development in the Pacific. Both Participants welcome the increased frequency of consultations on development cooperation since 2004, including through visits by senior European Union representatives to the region, and collaboration on selected projects within the Pacific region. Moreover, New Zealand welcomes the declared intention of the European Union to upgrade its political dialogue with the Pacific Island Forum countries.

20. The Participants accordingly resolve to maintain their regular bilateral dialogue in relation to development and trade issues and to broaden this exchange of views to encompass wider issues relevant to the stability of the region, including environmental sustainability and the threats posed to regional security by political instability, crime or terrorism.

21. Given their mutual desire to work together in development cooperation, both Participants envisage regular and broad ranging discussions and further exchange of information on Pacific issues. Periodic consultation in Wellington and Brussels, as well as in the field, will focus on ensuring both Participants are meeting their commitments under the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness. They aim to look for opportunities to maximise donor harmonisation and promote complementarity and appropriate division of labour, work within sector wide approaches and to align with Pacific countries' priorities, systems and processes in our exchanges. Both Participants will also seek to identify further areas for both policy and practical collaboration for poverty reduction in the Pacific region.

Trade and economic cooperation

22. The trade and economic links between the Participants are fundamental to the sound relationship overall. The European Union is currently New Zealand's second largest trading partner; New Zealand ranks 50th in the European Union's external trade. Bilateral trade is expanding and the flows of goods and services are underpinned by important bilateral agreements, including the Agreement on mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment between the European Community and New Zealand and the Agreement between the European Community and New Zealand on sanitary measures applicable to trade in live animals and animal products.

23. The Participants will keep under review the possibility of negotiating a broader framework for trade and economic relations in the future. As part of building our trade and economic linkages both Participants will also continue to look for areas of economic policy in which, due to their mutual interests and priorities, both would benefit from exchanging views and identifying areas of practical cooperation. This could include options to promote investment, possible improvements in the bilateral investment environment and developments in regulatory and competition policy approaches.

24. Both Participants will continue to deepen cooperation and to explore opportunities to facilitate trade through the conclusion of new agreements where these can enhance the value of existing arrangements. One proposed area of enhanced cooperation is the wine sector, where the parties will re-examine the merits of re-opening negotiations for a bilateral wine agreement, and the right moment for doing so. Both Participants will also investigate the benefits of a Customs Cooperation Agreement.

25. Consistent with efforts to enhance trade, the Participants will also continue negotiations on amendments to the existing Agreement on mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment between the Participants to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Further, the Participants will investigate the feasibility and potential benefits of extending the scope of their co-operation on technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment. In addition, both Participants should seek to explore other ways to enhance regulatory co-ordination between them in the context of global regulatory developments, with a view to reducing transaction costs for businesses and further facilitating trade.

26. The Participants underline the importance of maintaining the integrity of their trading relationship, consistent with multilateral principles, and to resolving any bilateral concerns constructively. In this context, the annual Agricultural Trade Talks are an important vehicle for ensuring views on key bilateral and global issues relating to agricultural trade are exchanged at a senior level. However, there are many issues of common interest— services and non-agricultural goods, and strengthening of multilateral rules — that are not appropriately addressed in this forum. From 2007, these will be addressed during annual trade talks, to be held as far as possible alternately in Brussels and Wellington.

27. The Participants recognise the importance of the private sector dynamic in developing and expanding markets and, to that end, will continue to encourage the establishment and expansion of business relations. Both Participants welcome the establishment of the New Zealand/Europe Business Council (NZEBC), formed with the aim of fostering good trade relations between Europe and New Zealand. The Participants will look to facilitate regular visits to Europe by leading New Zealand business representatives and vice versa.

28. The Participants will continue to work closely together in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to further strengthen the multilateral trading system by achieving the ambitious, balanced and global objectives agreed in the Doha Development Agenda (DDA). Their priorities and positions may differ in some areas, but both Participants will take a constructive approach.

Science, technology and innovation

29. The development of a strong science and technology relationship with the European Union is of great value to New Zealand in view of the resources committed to scientific research in Europe and the priority which the European Union and its Member States, like New Zealand, have attached to the development of a competitive economy, with science and education being among the major drivers for growth. New Zealand's longstanding research strength in selected fields can also add value to activities within the European Union.

30. The steps taken in recent years to foster increased cooperation have included the appointment of a Science Counsellor to the New Zealand Mission in Brussels to work with the Commission and Member States in enhancing science links; the creation of a jointly funded promotion platform (FRENZ) to ensure that information about opportunities for scientific collaboration is disseminated within New Zealand; and an expanded programme of visits by officials as part of sharing information about opportunities for cooperative activities.

31. In recognition of the growing level of cooperation, both Participants have decided to engage towards a substantial Science & Technology Cooperation Agreement as a way to reinforce the cooperation started under the 1991 Science and Technology Cooperation Arrangement between the European Commission and New Zealand, and are starting preparatory talks to that effect. Both Participants anticipate that a significant benefit will be derived from the Joint Science and Technology Committee meetings that will then be regularly organised and will endeavour to hold such meetings every one to two years according to the need, alternating between Brussels and Wellington.

32. Both Participants have decided to continue to work together to maximise the opportunities for participation in each other's science related activities. They recognise that cooperation under the Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Development (FP6) has increased significantly and could be further enhanced under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development (FP7) that just started for a 7-year period from 2007 to 2013.

33. Both Participants will develop initiatives to enhance researcher's mobility between them, and to pursue their ongoing efforts to identify areas and topics of common interest in which to promote additional cooperation actions. They have also decided to provide support for FRENZ or its equivalent.

Education and professional exchanges

34. The Participants welcome the enhanced linkages between New Zealand and European educational institutions since 2004. Both Participants will maintain education policy consultations at the senior officials' level and encourage contact between education experts in areas of mutual interest. In this respect, the presence of a New Zealand Education Counsellor in Brussels since February 2006 is highly appreciated by both Participants

35. The Participants will encourage relevant quality assurance bodies to discuss and promote alignment between New Zealand quality assurance processes and degree structures and the Bologna process and the European Qualifications Framework. The Participants are pleased that New Zealand's request to accede to the Lisbon Convention on the recognition of qualifications was unanimously approved on 19 June 2007.

36. Greater New Zealand participation in European Union funded programmes for student and academic scholarships, and collaboration with New Zealand institutions in developing and maintaining active partnerships will see mobility increase over time. In this context, the Participants welcome the successful start of co-operation in higher education, enabling students to complete masters' degrees jointly in New Zealand and European Union universities. Decisions on further pilot projects will be taken following a review of the first project. The Participants will look into funding further pilot projects and entering into a structured policy-oriented dialogue on issues of common interest. Particular attention will also be given to the exchange of teaching staff at vocational and training institutions.

37. Staff and student exchanges under the auspices of the European Union Centres Network (EUCN) are an important part of the academic connections between New Zealand and Europe. Both Participants recognise and support the contribution made by the Network, with the support of the Commission, to promoting interest and expertise in the European Union within New Zealand. Both Participants will explore other opportunities to promote student and academic mobility and to deepen links between European and New Zealand counterparts.

Environment and Climate Change

38. Given the range of their common interests, the Participants will endeavour to step up exchanges and investigate opportunities for enhanced cooperation on issues of mutual interest, for example sustainable and renewable energy, tackling climate change, chemical and waste management, biodiversity and nature conservation, water and marine issues.

39. Key environmental concerns such as climate change and the drive to decarbonise energy while maintaining energy security can be addressed most effectively on a global basis. Discussions and subject-specific visits have led to an enhanced appreciation of shared objectives and recognition of the value of enhanced cooperation. Both Participants share the view that careful analysis is required of the precise nature of environmental concerns and the most appropriate remedies given national circumstances, and consider the early sharing of perspectives is desirable and will be encouraged.

40. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) have to be reduced to very low levels, well below half of levels in 2000 by the middle of the 21st century, in order to stabilise their concentrations at the lowest levels assessed by the IPCC to date in its scenarios. The lower the stabilisation level achieved, the lower the consequent damage. The Participants share similar ambitions for strong and early global action to tackle climate change and to develop and implement practical and cost-effective mechanisms to do so, which take into account differing national circumstances and capabilities. Both Participants also identify the need to broaden participation in international action so that all major GHG emitters are included.

41. The Participants further share the view that negotiations on a comprehensive post-2012 framework, building upon the best features of the current international arrangements we have, including the Kyoto Protocol and providing a fair and flexible framework for the widest possible participation, need to be launched at the UN international climate conference at the end of 2007 Both Participants share the view that market-based mechanisms such as emissions trading offer economically efficient means of reducing emissions, and that such mechanisms should remain an essential element of the post-2012 framework.

42. On climate change, the Participants will enhance cooperation including through sharing perspectives on the use of market based instruments, such as emissions trading, increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy use, and on addressing greenhouse gas emissions from relevant key sectors, including transport, agriculture and forestry.

Fisheries

43. The sustainable management of fisheries on a global basis is an issue of concern to both Participants. Both Participants welcome the regular dialogue on fisheries-related issues held since 2004. Further dialogue meetings will be held on a flexible basis, with the aim of consulting closely at intervals convenient to both Participants, on bilateral, multilateral and regional fisheries issues.

Transport

44. Air services provide a vital link in the strengthening relationship between the Participants. They welcomed the signature of the horizontal agreement in June 2006, which primarily addressed nationality restrictions in the bilateral air services agreements between New Zealand and Member States. Both Participants will make every effort to commence negotiations on a comprehensive air services agreement with the aim of concluding negotiations in 2008 reflecting the similar views on both sides of the principles involved.

People-to-people links and outreach activities

45. The media has an increasingly influential role in providing information, and influencing community perceptions, about other countries. The Participants acknowledge the annual European Union Journalist Award, designed to engender understanding of the European Union in New Zealand through providing a New Zealand working journalist the opportunity to travel to Europe for two weeks and study a topic of the journalist's choosing that is relevant to a New Zealand audience. To promote greater understanding among respective media, the Participants will work with media organisations to foster an understanding of the bilateral relationship including by promoting exchanges between media organisations, in particular for journalists.

46. The Commission will encourage journalism schools and the training departments of various New Zealand mainstream media organisations to include training modules on reporting on contemporary Europe.

47. Recognising that a better understanding of the functioning of the European Union will enhance the bilateral relationship, the Commission will co-operate with New Zealand to support the placement of New Zealand officials on short term internships across the Commission on an occasional basis, funded by New Zealand, subject to the identification of suitable positions. New Zealand confirms that it would accept Commission officials on a similar basis.

48. The Participants acknowledge the importance of the EUCN to European Union-New Zealand relations, the Commission's funding of the network and they reconfirm their commitment to continued support to this activity.

49. The Participants also encourage the EUCN to continue to be instrumental in the annual placement of graduate students on short-term internships in the European Parliament. These internships are very useful for both Participants; beneficial to the interns by providing them with an experience of the European Parliament; and create partnerships between the students and the Members of the Australia/New Zealand European Parliament Delegation.

50. Regular exchanges between the European Parliament and the New Zealand Parliament are an important dimension of the overall relationship between New Zealand and European institutions and contribute to a broader understanding of the relationship on both Participants. The New Zealand Mission to the European Union in Brussels and the European Commission Delegation in Wellington will maintain close relations with the respective Parliaments to provide information on developments in the relationship and identify opportunities to increase contact and mutual understanding.

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