European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, on Friday, said he is optimistic that the EU and New Zealand will sign a trade deal before the end of his tenure in October.
Juncker stated this at a press conference after a meeting with New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, in Brussels.
“I’m of the opinion that we should do everything possible to conclude a trade agreement between New Zealand and the European Union in the course of this year.
“I’d like to conclude this deal before the end of the mandate of my Commission,” which ends in October, Juncker said.
At the same press conference, Ardern said she shared the “level of ambition” showed by the EU in quickly concluding the talks.
Under the EU negotiating mandate, trade in some agriculture sectors, like sheep, beef and diaries, would not be fully liberalized.
The EU Agriculture Commissioner, Phil Hogan, said quotas could be agreed with New Zealand for sectors that will remain subject to tariffs.
