New Zealand in line for free trade talks with EU Commission

Prime Minister John Key will travel to Brussels later this month to meet Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

Europe's chambers of commerce grouping, EuroChambres, has given its blessing to New Zealand being added to the EU Commission's plans for free trade talks.

It has been promised a special chapter for small and medium enterprises, as is the case in the ongoing EU talks with the United States for a Trans Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTiP).

The EU decision to pursue FTAs with New Zealand and separately Australia was announced in Brussels yesterday by EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom, as part of her four-year trade plan.

EuroChambres pledged its support during earlier consultation for New Zealand and Australia to be added to the list of those in line for an FTA with the EU.

Malmstrom has pledged a special chapter on SMEs in any future free trade negotiation.

EuroChambres director for international affairs Dirk Vantyghem said that was a result of lobbying by EuroChambres.

Vantyghem also wanted greater emphasis in future put on implementation of trade deals and he expected to be in contact with similar organisations in New Zealand about the talks.

In Europe over 600,000 SMEs were exporters, employing more than 6 million people.

In the Asia Pacific, the EU plan is to conclude talks with Japan, an investment treaty with China, talks with Burma and to restart negotiations with Asean.

The new EU strategy comes as New Zealand renews its own desire for closer trade relations with Europe, and Prime Minister John Key will travel to Brussels later this month to meet Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to push the country's case for a free trade deal.

Additional reporting BusinessDesk