New Zealand and the European Union are considering possibilities for updating their trade and economic relations. As part of this process they are looking at the possibility of concluding a free trade agreement. The leaders of the EU met with New Zealand’s Prime Minister and agreed to move towards closer economic ties.

The issue of a free trade agreement is now on the table. The parties have agreed to talk about the issue of a free trade agreement in 2015, and to discuss how to move forward with this. The EU is currently New Zealand’s third largest trading partner.