Moore joins P.M. at Brussels trade talks

Press, 26 April 1988, Page 8

Moore joins P.M. at Brussels trade talks

PA Wellington The Minister Overseas Trade and Marketing, Mr Moore, flew to Brussels yesterday to join the | Prime Minister, Mr Lange, in meetings with European Communitycommissioners this week. Mij Moore will raise a number of trade questions with particular emphasis on New Zealand’s key' access concerns. He left a day earlier than originally planned. "The Commission’s decisib a last week to restrict app-le imports, and its lat-

est moves to seek a hego- , tiating mandate on sheepmeat access, mean the Ministerial meetings in Brussels could be crucial in safeguarding New Zealand’s interests on those products, as well as butter access to Britain." Mr Moore said before his departure. "Things are moving fast . and I need to have an extra day in Brussels to catch up on some of the new issues, consult our officials, and get a full briefing before we go into talks on Wednesday."

His joint presentation with Mr Lange would make clear to the commissioners the importance New’ Zealand attaches to its bilateral trade relationship with Europe. It would also seek to advance progress in the! Uruguay round of rhe G.A.T.T. as the December, mid-term review approached. "The Uruguay round provides the i backdrop against which our access issues must be considered," Mr Moore said. "The visit is timed to exert maximum political

influence at a key point in the butter access debate. The E.C. will be considering the position it should adopt on New Zealand butter and sheepmeat ac- ! cess.” The British Government ! is also considering its ! position, and this would ! be discussed by Mr Lange in London. Mr Moore said it was | fortunate his visit came so soon after the E.C.’s deci- . sion to impose import I quotas on New Zealand apples.