Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton to visit Europe
Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton leaves New Zealand on Sunday for a three-week trip to Europe.
Mr Sutton is to attend Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ministerial council meeting in Paris, and
will host an informal meeting of World Trade Organisation trade ministers afterwards.
"These are important meetings, especially in the build-up to the World Trade Organisation ministerial meeting in Mexico
in September. There are some difficult issues to be negotiated as part of the Doha Development Round, and the more
opportunities we have to work through those, the better."
Mr Sutton said the Doha Development Round was New Zealand's highest trade negotiations priority.
"Comprehensive multilateral negotiations hold out the best chance for market access gains."
He will then visit Hungary, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Poland as part of a trade mission.
With their imminent entry into the European Union, central and eastern European countries are increasing in political,
economic and strategic importance to New Zealand. Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic are the most populous and
influential central European countries. Substantial development has taken place in these countries over the past decade
and levels of economic growth are expected to increase after EU accession in May 2004.
Mr Sutton said these markets had considerable untapped potential for New Zealand.
"In addition, they are set to become influential voices within the EU on policy matters which will have a direct bearing
on our trade and economic interests. It is important that they understand the New Zealand perspective on key issues such
as CAP reform, subsidies to agriculture and the importance of securing an ambitious outcome to the Doha Round."
He said that as well as hosting meetings to promote New Zealand trade opportunities and potential, he would meet with
counterparts in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany.
Mr Sutton returns to New Zealand on May 16.