The EU also plans to start negotiations with Australia on establishment of the free trade zone, said the European Commissioner for trade Cecilia malmström.
BRUSSELS, 29 Oct. Natalia Dobrovolskaya. The European Commission (EC) expects 1.5 years to get a mandate for negotiations with New Zealand on the establishment of a free trade area (FTA) said the European Commissioner for trade Cecilia malmström.
Previously, the presidents of the European Commission and the European Council Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk and Prime Minister of New Zealand John key said that the European Union and New Zealand agreed to launch negotiations on creating a free trade zone.
“Today we are launching the procedure, which I hope will lead to agreement on free trade zone between the EU and New Zealand. Today, we will discuss the details with the Minister of trade (New Zealand — ed.). We hope that this will lead to a formal impact assessment and to the issuance of the mandate of member countries, so that we can approximately 1.5 years to officially launch procedures,” said malmström.
According to her, the EU also intends to start similar negotiations with Australia.
“But it’s two different countries, and, of course, there will be two different process,” said the Commissioner.
