Joint Declaration on Relations and Cooperation between the European Union and New Zealand
Date: 2008-02-06
Institutions: European Union, New Zealand
Subjects: European Union, New Zealand, cooperation policy, international relations

6.2.2008

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Official Journal of the European Union

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(Information)

JOINT DECLARATIONS

COMMISSION

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 interna-
interest, and to increase practical

issues of mutual

tional
cooperation in areas of mutual interest,

— having regard to their common commitment to free and
open market principles and the strengthening of the multi-
lateral trading system in accordance with the aims and prin-
ciples 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,

— 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, disarma-

ment and arms control, and counter-terrorism,

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

in par-

— 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
the need to

including in particular

global environment
address the issue of climate change,

— encourage innovation, increased productivity and competi-

— having regard to the Participants' support for the protection

tiveness,

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
their relationship with a view to
extending the already established cooperation further into the
future.

framework of

COMMON GOALS

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

— 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 coopera-
tion 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.

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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 coopera-
tion 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

the

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
existing twice-yearly bilateral Ministerial
Troika consultations. Moreover, regular contacts also take
the
place between the President of
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.

the Commission,

third countries

counter-terrorism. We are both committed to the ratifica-
tion and implementation of all UN counter-terrorism
conventions and protocols, as well as to the implementa-
relevant UN Security Council Resolutions,
tion of all
including UNSCR 1373 (2001), and of the United Nations
Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The Participants stand ready to
assist
international
counter-terrorism obligations. Effective measures to counter
terrorism and the protection of human rights are comple-
mentary 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
tolerance and under-
initiatives contributing to greater
standing,
including dialogue, between cultures, faiths and
civilisations.

in meeting their

9. To be fully effective in their efforts, the Participants have
taken concrete action and cooperated closely on the
ground,
recently
for example through New Zealand's
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.

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 Commis-
sioner level and in the margins of international meetings.
This will be
information
supplemented with regular
exchange through diplomatic missions and in other fora.

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.

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 multina-
tional 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

for closer
dialogue and cooperation between the Participants on

identify opportunities

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

good

value

Participants

cooperation

as
their
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 coopera-
tion with countries in the region, including ASEAN.

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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 travel-
ling 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
fully with New Zealand with
Commission will consult
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
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.

investment

significant

the

for

a

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.
light both Participants' development assistance
In this
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 impor-
tance for achieving sustainable development and call on all
donors to support improved standards of public administra-
tion 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 coun-
tries, greater stability and development in the region consis-
tent 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 repre-
sentatives 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
to the stability of
encompass wider issues relevant
the
sustainability and the
region,
including environmental
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

to the

22. The trade and economic links between the Participants are
fundamental
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 Agree-
ment between the European Community and New Zealand
on sanitary measures applicable to trade in live animals and
animal products.

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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 coopera-
tion. This could include options to promote investment,
possible improvements in the bilateral investment environ-
ment and developments in regulatory and competition
policy approaches.

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 Develop-
ment Agenda (DDA). Their priorities and positions may
differ in some areas, but both Participants will
take a
constructive approach.

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 Agri-
cultural Trade Talks are an important vehicle for ensuring
views on key bilateral and global
issues relating to agri-
cultural 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.

Science, technology and innovation

29. The development of a strong science and technology rela-
tionship with the European Union is of great value to
New Zealand in view of the resources committed to scien-
tific 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 coopera-
tion 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.

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
relations. Both Participants
and expansion of business
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

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 coop-
eration under
for
Research and Development (FP6) has increased significantly
and could be further enhanced under the Seventh Frame-
work Programme for Research and Development (FP7) that
just started for a 7-year period from 2007 to 2013.

the Sixth Framework Programme

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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
cooperation
interest
actions. They have also decided to provide support for
FRENZ or its equivalent.

in which to promote additional

Education and professional exchanges

34. The Participants welcome the enhanced linkages between
institutions since
New Zealand and European educational
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

to discuss

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

Framework. The Participants

time.

36. Greater New Zealand participation in European Union
funded programmes for student and academic scholarships,
and collaboration with New Zealand institutions in devel-
oping and maintaining active partnerships will see mobility
increase over
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.

context,

In this

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
and
academic mobility and to deepen links between European
and New Zealand counterparts.

to promote

student

Environment and Climate Change

38. Given the range of their common interests, the Participants
will endeavour to step up exchanges and investigate oppor-
tunities for enhanced cooperation on issues of mutual
for example sustainable and renewable energy,
interest,
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
the
share the view that careful analysis is required of
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
the consequent
stabilisation level achieved,
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 mechan-
isms to do so, which take into account differing national
circumstances and capabilities. Both Participants also iden-
tify the need to broaden participation in international
action so that all major GHG emitters are included.

the lower

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 confer-
ence 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 coopera-
tion including through sharing perspectives on the use of
trading,
market based instruments,
increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy use, and
on addressing greenhouse gas emissions from relevant key
sectors, including transport, agriculture and forestry.

such as emissions

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Fisheries

43. The sustainable management of fisheries on a global basis
is an issue of concern to both Participants. Both Partici-
pants 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 rela-
tionship 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
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.

every effort

People-to-people links and outreach activities

and influencing

45. The media has an increasingly influential role in providing
information,
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
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
relationship including by promoting
of
in particular for
exchanges between media organisations,
journalists.

the opportunity to travel

the bilateral

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

47. Recognising that a better understanding of the functioning
of the European Union will enhance the bilateral relation-
ship, 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 Commis-
sion'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
in the annual placement of graduate
be instrumental
students on short-term internships
in the European
Parliament. These internships are very useful for both Parti-
cipants; beneficial to the interns by providing them with an
experience of the European Parliament; and create partner-
ships 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 under-
the relationship on both Participants. The
standing of
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.

Review

51. The Participants will regularly monitor progress in imple-
menting the actions identified in this Joint Declaration. In
2012 both Participants will again conduct a comprehensive
review of practical steps to maintain close consultation and
develop greater cooperation between the Participants.