2011 Events Review:
The President, NZ Ministers, Mayor of Auckland, EU Ambassador and Chargé d'Affaires a.i. at the Royal Yacht Squadron.
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Business speech and meetings complete President Barroso's visit.
The New Zealand-Europe Business Council at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron was the President's next 'port' of call where he spoke to a capacity NZ business audience on the highly topical subject of "The European Economy and New Zealand." On Friday, the last day of his visit, the President has bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Gusmao of Timor Leste, Leader of the Opposition Hon.Phil Goff and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Hon. Maryan Street as well as the Speaker of the NZ parliament, Hon. Lockwood Smith.
Full details of his visit, videos and speeches can be found here.
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Chancellor France hands doctorate certificate to the President
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President's receives Doctorate from University of Auckland.
On Thursday, 8th September, President José Manuel Barroso received the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Auckland from the hands of Roger France, its Chancellor. The President gave the 2011 Europa Lecture afterwards to an audience of six hundred on "The EU – a committed partner for New Zealand and the Pacific." If you would like to view the full transcript of this speech, follow the link here.The President stated his intention that the EU steps up its bilateral relationship with New Zealand and urged the leaders of Pacific nations to speak loudly in global debates about climate change. |
PIF Leaders with President Barroso and Commissioner Hedegaard |
President Barroso engages with Pacific Island Forum Leaders.
On 7th September, President Barroso’s keynote address to the 40th Pacific Islands Forum in Auckland included €26 million in new funding to combat climate change and promote development. “If we want to alleviate poverty and boost prosperity in the Pacific, it can only be by making your natural resources work for you, not against you,” he said. The President urged a united EU-Pacific stance in global climate change negotiations, encouraging everyone to “continue to unite our forces and maintain pressure on all global partners in Durban.” He also highlighted two human rights priorities for the EU in the region - improving women's status and affirming the primacy of democracy and constitutional rule. That evening, the President and Commissioner Hedegaard had dinner with PIF Leaders from the islands to listen and assess how best the EU can work in partnership to help provide solutions.
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President Barroso and PM Key at press conference. |
President Barroso in New Zealand 7th-9th September.
President José Manuel Barroso started his visit to New Zealand with a call on His Excellency Jerry Mateparae, New Zealand's new Governor-General. Shortly afterwards, he held a formal bilateral meeting with PM John Key which covered the state of the world economy, the Pacific and forwarding the EU-NZ bilateral relationship. To an assembled press corps outside the meeting, President Barroso said afterwards "We want to renew our engagement with this region and of course we see New Zealand as a very close friend and likeminded partner". PM Key replied "We are always looking to extend and build our contacts and relationship with the EU and will continue to work on that together".
The President's interview on Q&A TV programme can be viewed here.
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PM of Tuvalu Willy Telavi and Commissioner Hedegaard.
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EU Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard in Auckland, 6-7 September.
Commissioner Connie Hedegaard was part of this year's reinforced presence of the EU in Auckland for the Pacific Islands Forum. She addressed the Pacific Islands Forum and held bilateral meetings with the Leaders of seven Pacific Island States on budget support and the need to work together on climate change in the lead up to the Durban Conference. Commissioner Hedegaard also discussed New Zealand's Emissions Trading Scheme with Environment Minister Nick Smith and met with senior NZ Ministry CEOs and NGOs. The Commissioner took the opportunity of being in Auckland to visit LanzaTech, an intellectual property-based NZ company manufacturing high value products from gasified waste carbon. For more information and coverage of these events follow the links. For video follow the link here, and for photos click here.
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President Barroso and PM Gillard sign EURATOM agreement.
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European Commission President Barroso visits Australia, 4-7 September.
The President met Julia Gillard, Australian Prime Minister, in Canberra to sign a new agreement between Australia and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) to further cooperation on nuclear safeguards, security and safety. The President also met, inter alia, Quentin Bryce, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Tony Abbott MP Leader of the Opposition and Harry Jenkins, Speaker of the House of Representatives. He laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial and planted a tree the National Aboretum. At the Australian National University (ANU), President José Manuel Barroso spoke on the theme "Shared futures: Europe and Australia in the 21st century", using the opportunity to welcome the Australian Government’s efforts to tackle the carbon issue. His visit finished with his speech to the European Australia Business Council (EABC) in Sydney.
To view more coverage of this event please follow the link here.
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The Hon Wayne Mapp (left) and Hon Jeremy Browne (right) signing the UK-NZ Science Agreement. |
UK-NZ Science Agreement signed.
A UK-NZ Science Agreement was signed in Wellington on 12 September by the Hon Jeremy Browne on behalf of the British Government, and the Hon Wayne Mapp, NZ Minister for Science and Innovation. The agreement commissions both sides to form a working group to look a ways of strengthening even further the close cooperation between the two countries, and to take the necessary actions to implement practical measures.
As an ongoing part of the work, several UK missions are scheduled to visit New Zealand over the next few months, including experts on Advanced Sensors, Health Technologies, Clean Energy, and Biotechnology. The British High Commission will be announcing further aspects of the agreement as they are developed.
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Diplomatic Team (in red) on the attack |
Diplomatic Team Storms to Victory as NZ prepares for Rugby World Cup.
On 22 August, just before the start of the Rugby World Cup, rugby fans and supporters gathered at Te Whaea, Newtown to watch the Diplomatic Team gain a historic 12:10 win over the NZ Parliamentary Team in an intense game that saw little quarter given. It was a sweet victory over the hammering received from the NZ Parliamentary Team two years ago. Even under golden oldies rules, a lot of physical contact was on display. The key to success was undoubtedly the Diplomatic Team's solid performance in both attack and defence. The Diplomatic Team was composed of eight Embassies and High Commissions - including the French, Netherlands and UK - under the overall captaincy of Marc Mirlyaz (EU Delegation). Thanks also to the Samoan High Commissioner and Argentinean Ambassador for their enthusiasm.
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