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 partnership has produced concrete results, notably the EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, which celebrated its one-year anniversary in May. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to rules-based free trade and modernizing the multilateral trading system to reflect todays economic realities.

They discussed closer cooperation between the EU and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), agreeing to support the launch of a dialogue as soon as possible. They emphasized the importance of secure and resilient supply chains, especially for critical raw materials, and encouraged collaboration on innovative technologies.

Tech and innovation were also key topics. New Zealands participation in Horizon Europe has yielded positive outcomes, leading to high levels of engagement. Both leaders welcomed future cooperation on digital technologies, including initiatives like Digital Identity and Digital Business Wallet.

Security and defense were prominent in their discussions, with the EU and New Zealand deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, where regional and European security are increasingly interconnected. President von der Leyen proposed a closer security dialogue as a first step toward a Security & Defense Partnership, similar to agreements with Japan and Korea and discussions with Australia.

The recent developments in the Middle East were also a significant part of their conversation. They agreed that Iran must not develop nuclear weapons, emphasizing the need for stability and respect for international law. The leaders called for Iran to engage in credible diplomatic solutions as negotiations are essential to resolving the crisis.

Finally, they addressed Russias aggression against Ukraine. President von der Leyen thanked Prime Minister Luxon for New Zealands support for Ukraine, including sanctions against Russia and participation in early Coalition discussions. Both reiterated their commitment to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.