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What's New
September 2006
New Zealand Consultation with European Union Presidency
 New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters met with his Finnish counterpart, Erkki Tuomioja, and representatives of the European Commission in Helsinki on 25 September for EU-NZ consultations under the auspices of the EU Presidency. These meetings happen every six months under each Presidency. Finland is currently in the Presidency seat. Discussions were held on a range of subjects, including the Middle East Peace process, Afghanistan , and developments in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in the South Pacific, North Asia, and South East Asia . A key topic of discussion was also the updating of the EU-New Zealand Action Plan by mid 2007. The Action Plan, also called "Priorities for Future Cooperation", outlines the main areas of the EU-NZ relationship with set goals to be worked towards over the medium term. The 2007 update will cover a commitment to work together more in the Pacific; increase economic cooperation; increase Science and Technology exchanges, and hold regular environmental discussions. The new Action Plan will be signed off in the first half of 2007 at the next Presidency consultations with Germany and the Commission.
For more information on the meeting in Helsinki, visit online at http://www.eu2006.fi/calendar/vko39/en_GB/1152794148416/?u4.highlight=new%20Zealand
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