Easier access to professions: Council adopts new measures

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Better records to help support hate crime victims

Better records to help support hate crime victims | European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights

EU and New Zealand launch trade negotiations

The negotiations will aim at removing barriers to trade in goods and services, as well as developing trade rules to make trade easier and more sustainable.

Today’s announcement follows on the footsteps of the launch of negotiations with Australia earlier this week. It also comes soon after the conclusion of negotiations with Mexico, the finalisation of the agreements with Japan and Singapore, and the EU-Canada agreement, which entered into force in September last year.

Commissioner Malmström said: “Today is an important milestone in EU-New Zealand relations. Together, we can conclude a win-win agreement that offers benefits to business and citizens alike. Trade agreements are about economic opportunities but they are also about strengthening ties with our close allies. In New Zealand, we know that we have a partner who stands up for the same vital values as us. This agreement is an excellent opportunity to set ambitious common rules and shape globalisation, making trade easier while safeguarding sustainable development. We can lead by example.”

The first formal round of talks between the respective sides’ teams of negotiators will take place in Brussels from 16 to 20 July.

Whilst in New Zealand, Commissioner Malmström met with Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters, as well as with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs. She also held a public “Europa” lecture organised by the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs.

During her visit, Commissioner Malmström is also meeting with the Ministers for Primary Industries and Climate Change, as well as with representatives of civil society, academia and business. On Friday, 22 June, she will visit an innovation hub with companies with ties to the EU.

Bilateral trade in goods between the EU and New Zealand stood at €8.7 billion last year. The sectors which make up the bulk of EU exports to New Zealand are manufactured goods like transport equipment, and machinery and appliances, as well as chemicals, plastics, food, and services. In addition, a further €4.4 billion is exchanged in services (2016). The EU is New Zealand’s third biggest trade partner and the agreement could increase trade in goods by almost 50%, or by one third if both goods and services are considered.

New Zealand is one of the world’s fastest-growing developed economies. It recently negotiated the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) with 10 other countries in the Pacific region. The agreement between the EU and New Zealand will ensure that European companies are competing on a level playing field with businesses from countries with which New Zealand already has trade agreements.

For More Information

Video and photos from the visit

Website: EU-New Zealand Trade negotiations

Factsheet

Exporters’ stories: What’s in it for small businesses?

Better records to help support hate crime victims

Better records to help support hate crime victims | European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights

EU lawmakers reach political agreement on a new Regulation for Eurojust

The Hague, 19 June 2018

The new EU law enforcement landscape takes shape

Today, lawmakers in Brussels took an important step towards improving Eurojust’s role in serving justice across borders for a safer Europe. They reached a provisional agreement on a new legal framework for Eurojust that will enhance the Agency’s operational capabilities and strengthen the cooperation with prosecution authorities of the Member States and partners in the area of Justice and Home Affairs cooperation, such as FRONTEX and Europol, in the fight against serious organised crime and terrorism.

Mr Ladislav Hamran, President of Eurojust, said: ‘I congratulate the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission on the successful political agreement they have reached today on the new Eurojust Regulation. The new Regulation will make Eurojust fit for the future and increases Eurojust’s capabilities to support the national authorities in their fight against serious cross-border crime. The new landscape of law enforcement on EU level takes shape. With the new legal frameworks for Europol, the EPPO and now for Eurojust, the European Union steps up its pace to fight crime that is not limited by borders and takes yet another step in making the EU a safer place for our citizens. I hope that Member States will implement the new Regulation quickly.’

The new Regulation sets the objective to increase information exchange between Eurojust and Member States while ensuring an adequate level of data protection. It also brings governance reforms, including the creation of a new Executive Board, which will further improve Eurojust’s efficiency and management structure. Democratic oversight will be guaranteed through regular reporting to the European Parliament and national parliaments. The Regulation also establishes institutional, operational and administrative relations with the new European Public Prosecutor’s Office to ensure complementarity and synergies.

Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Věra Jourová, also welcomed the agreement and stressed the importance of the agreement and the role of Eurojust: ‘Every year, Eurojust helps facilitate cooperation between national authorities in their investigations and prosecutions. In 2017 alone, Eurojust delivered concrete support in 4 500 investigations in all Member States and in cases which matter most to our citizens: terrorism, illegal migration and cybercrime, to name just a few.’

The provisional agreement reached today must now be formally approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. Following approval, the Regulation will be published in the EU’s Official Journal and enter into force 20 days later.