Joint read-out from the meeting between President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Luxon
President von der Leyen met with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today in Brussels. Their discussions focused on the warm and deepening partnership between the EU and New Zealand.
This relationship has delivered concrete results in recent years, most notably the EU–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, which marked its one-year anniversary in May. Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to rules-based free trade and to modernising the multilateral trading system so it better reflects today’s economic realities.
They also discussed the potential for closer cooperation between the EU and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Both leaders agreed to continue to support the launch of a dialogue between the EU and CPTPP as soon as possible. Both leaders underlined the importance of secure and resilient supply chains, particularly for critical raw materials and encouraged closer collaboration on innovative technologies to address this shared challenge.
They also discussed tech and innovation. New Zealand’s entry into Horizon Europe, as the first non-neighbour country to join, has already produced strong outcomes, with high levels of participation and success. Both leaders welcomed future cooperation on digital technologies, including through work on the Digital Identity and Digital Business Wallet initiatives.
Security and defence were also prominent in the discussions. The EU and New Zealand are deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, where regional and European security are increasingly linked. President von der Leyen proposed a closer security dialogue as a first step toward a Security & Defence Partnership, similar to existing agreements with Japan and Korea and under discussion with Australia.
The developments of this weekend in the Middle-East were also an important part of the leaders’ discussion. There was consensus. Iran cannot be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. With tensions in the Middle East at a new peak, stability must be the priority. And respect for international law is critical. The leaders agreed that now was the moment for Iran to engage in a credible diplomatic solution, as the negotiating table is the only place to end this crisis.
Finally, the leaders addressed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. President von der Leyen thanked Prime Minister Luxon for New Zealand’s steadfast support to Ukraine, including its sanctions against Russia and participation in the early Coalition of the Willing discussions. Both reaffirmed their commitment to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.