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See update - 2009 Joint Declaration
SIGNATURE OF THE JOINT DECLARATION ON RELATIONS BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND NEW ZEALAND 
At a ceremony held in Strasbourg on 4 May 1999, the Joint Declaration on relations between the European Union and New Zealand was signed by:
 For the European Union:
- Mr Günter VERHEUGEN, President of the Council, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany
- Sir Leon BRITTAN, Vice President of the Commission
 For New Zealand:
- Rt Hon. Don McKINNON, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
JOINT DECLARATION ON RELATIONS BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND NEW ZEALAND
1 PREAMBLE
The European Union on the one side, and New Zealand on the other,
· guided by their close historical, political, economic and cultural connections,
· steered by their shared commitment to human rights, fundamental freedoms, civil liberties and democracy,
· recognising the strong links that already exist, including through joint efforts in international conflicts in favour of the preservation of peace and freedom,
· wishing to enhance consultations on bilateral and international issues of mutual interest, including on the increasingly important Asia-Pacific region and the growing role of the European Union,
· having regard to our common commitment of 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,
· recalling existing Agreements between the European Union and New Zealand,
have decided further to strengthen their relationship and co-operation based on broadly shared interests, to the mutual benefit of their peoples, and to endow their mutual relations with a long-term perspective.
2 COMMON GOALS
The European Union and New Zealand reaffirm their intention to strengthen their partnership, in particular by working together to:
· Support democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms,
· 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 disarmament and arms control and in non-proliferation,
· Promote free market principles for trade in goods and services and for investment, reject protectionism and work to expand, strengthen and further open the multilateral trading system, particularly by way of a new comprehensive round of multilateral trade negotiations in the WTO,
· Cooperate where appropriate, on development issues relating to countries in the South Pacific,
· Promote sustainable development and the protection of the global environment,
· Foster mutual knowledge and understanding between their people and of their cultures.
3 CO-OPERATION
To achieve their common goals, the European Union and New Zealand will inform and consult each other in the areas of economic, political and security and other matters identified below, and any other mutually decided areas that arise in the spirit of this declaration.
A Economic Co-operation
Both sides commit themselves to active co-operation towards the further liberalisation of international trade in goods and services and of investment, and underline, in this context, the importance of a new, comprehensive round of trade negotiations in the WTO. They reaffirm the central role of the WTO as the principal mechanism for achieving a fair and equitable, open and rules-based trading system. They acknowledge the need for greater transparency within the WTO system in order to broaden support for the international trading system.
They will promote contacts and cooperation on issues of mutual interest, including agriculture and fisheries, in line with the existing practice already established between both sides. They also stress their attachment to the protection of intellectual property, including geographical indications, in accordance with the provisions of the WTO TRIPS Agreement.
The European Union and New Zealand will foster a positive framework for bilateral trade in goods and services, and business and investment links between the two sides, and support initiatives by the private sector aimed at encouraging such trade links.
B Political and Security Co-operation
The European Union and New Zealand underline the political and economic importance to both sides of the Asia-Pacific region of which New Zealand is an integral part, and commit themselves to consult closely with the aim of promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the area. In so doing, both sides recognise the high priority accorded to the achievement of sustainable development in their respective policies towards developing countries.
C Other areas of co-operation
Both sides will also endeavour to strengthen their mutual co-operation in various other areas and in particular will look to:
· Co-operate in supporting and promoting the economic, social, political, and security roles of the United Nations, and in strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of that organisation,
· Facilitate further people-to-people and scientific links, and encourage cooperation and exchange in education;
· Co-operate on environmental issues of common concern.
4 MECHANISM
Both sides believe that their partnership will greatly benefit from the mutual knowledge and understanding acquired through the full use of all existing consultative fora, and in particular through:
- Regular political dialogue, including consultations at Ministerial level between the European Union and New Zealand,
- Consultation as appropriate between officials of both sides to cover relevant aspects of the relationship, including briefings, as necessary, to New Zealand representatives on Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) meetings, and by New Zealand to the Presidency and the European Commission on New Zealand’s foreign policy, including in relation to developments in the Asia Pacific region,
And, in keeping with the spirit of this declaration, will look to set up any other mechanism for consultations deemed suitable by both sides in the future that will enhance the relationship.
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