 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Leader's LetterMarch 2004
European Union Expansion & TradeNEW ZEALAND IS one of the greatest trading nations per capita on earth so it is diffi cult to understand why trade is so neglected by other political parties. One would have thought that there would have been a much greater interest in our trading achievements and how to expand exports to overcome our trade deficit. A serious problem looming on the horizon for New Zealand trade is the expansion of the European Union from 15 to 25 members from 1st May 2004. The expansion is largely to the north and east of the EU and involves the inclusion of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungry, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovak, Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus. The new members will make up two-fifths of the new European Union and will have a significant voting power. I understand that steps are under way to give the existing larger members some extra voting rights. From a New Zealand viewpoint the expansion will have a significant effect on our trade with the European Union, which is our second largest trading partner. While the French, German, Spanish and Italians know something about New Zealand, our links with new members such as Estonia, the Czech Republic and Slovenia are relatively limited. In my view, the Government is not doing enough to acquaint the new members with New Zealand’s particular interest in trading with the European Union. An embassy is being established in Warsaw, but that is about it. Wellington staff do not receive sufficient support from the Government to enable them to provide adequate support to our European Union lobby. Poland is the biggest of the new members and their main knowledge of New Zealand is that we have hobbits. We need to go a long way to improve this situation An Act has been passed to allow the European Union delegation to obtain diplomatic status in Wellington, and this is an important step for us. New Zealand First has supported the legislation. A New Zealand First government would adopt a much bolder approach than the current Labour Government in ensuring that our vital international trading links are maintained and improved. Dail Jones MP
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||