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Press Briefing Speaking Points for 21st September 2007
By Leo Bouter, Chargé d’Affaires, Royal Netherlands Embassy, on behalf of the Presidency of the European Union
on the launch of the
JOINT DECLARATION ON RELATIONS AND COOPERATION BETWEEN
THE EUROPEAN UNION AND NEW ZEALAND
Welcome, and thank you for your kind presence at this briefing session jointly given by the Delegation of the European Union and the Royal Netherlands Embassy representing the European Union Presidency of Portugal on the occasion of the EU – New Zealand Ministerial Troika Meeting in Lisbon today on 21 September 2007.
There is a broad range of items on the agenda in Lisbon today. They include possible future agreements between us on science and technological cooperation, air services and customs cooperation as well as discussions on mutual visa-free access for visitors, bilateral trade issues, climate change, and general developments in the European Union.
In a wider international context, the highlight of this Ministerial Meeting is the adoption of the new Joint Declaration on Relations and Cooperation between the European Union and New Zealand.
Not only does the Joint Declaration underline the excellent relations which exist between New Zealand and the European Union, but moreover it offers opportunities to strengthen the framework of the relationship and to intensify and extend cooperation in areas as human rights, international peace and security, disarmament, counter-terrorism, the strive for free market principles for trade in goods and services, sustainable development and numerous other common grounds.
We share the same views on many regional and international issues. Based on common values and common approaches, we are committed to and engage in solving problems through multilateralism and in a rules-based manner.
On behalf of the EU Presidency I have the pleasure to welcome the Joint Declaration, which will broaden and deepen even further our excellent bilateral relationship, as an instrument for increasing our mutual understanding and cooperation in the future.
 
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