The European Commission 🇪🇺 has released the first in a series of “omnibus” proposals, starting with “green tape”. The proposals will reduce regulation and stimulate EU competitiveness, while maintaining climate goals. Read more about the proposed changes ➡️ https://t.co/VPRKxaoRas

Represented by @MFATNZ Deputy Chief Executive Taha Macpherson, New Zealand 🇳🇿 was honoured to attend the @NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting yesterday in Brussels together with Indo-Pacific partners Australia 🇦🇺, Japan 🇯🇵 and Korea 🇰🇷. https://t.co/5cAR2newfU

Indo-Pacific partners and @NATO discussed how to address global security challenges we face collectively, like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine & North Korea’s growing relationship with Russia – threats to the security of both the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions. https://t.co/xfAG9yoL2S

New Zealand is concerned by the large-scale military exercises around Taiwan. We call for restraint and the avoidance of actions that may undermine peace and stability. We encourage resolution of cross-strait issues through dialogue.

We want your input on negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand. Email your views and written submissions by 15 April. Get your submission in now ➡️ https://t.co/fibXDBpfzC https://t.co/HIBBase7DU

The European Union’s new Packaging and Packing Waste Regulation (PPWR) is designed to push businesses in the EU and globally to adopt more sustainable packaging practices, reduce waste, and improve rates of recycling and re-use. Manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and wider service providers will need to ensure packaging material placed on the EU market conforms with the new regulation. Read more ➡ https://t.co/FJ5MzTgpT5

The Minister for Trade and Investment has launched a public consultation seeking submissions on negotiation of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between NZ an India. Email your views and written submissions by 15 April. Find out more ➡️ https://t.co/AD5tRKKISv https://t.co/nAHQD2L4vY

New Zealand is deeply concerned about renewed fighting in Gaza. A permanent end to the fighting needs to be found. New Zealand has consistently called for a ceasefire and de-escalation of tensions in the region. This is critical for ending the incomprehensible human suffering over the past year and a half.   New Zealand calls on both sides to reinstate the ceasefire and fully implement the terms of the deal. -WP

We’re very pleased with our meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio this afternoon. We came here to listen to the new Administration and to be clear about what is important to New Zealand. Today, we enjoyed substantive and productive discussions with Secretary Rubio across a broad range of issues. There’s a lot happening in the Indo-Pacific, and indeed our world. It’s a seriously valuable time to be here in Washington DC. Secretary Rubio has had a long career in foreign policy and it was helpful to re-connect with him and hear his insights into what is going on. This has been a very successful visit to Washington DC, meeting with a wide range of representatives of the Trump Administration. We agreed that we should continue to work together for a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific. And we talked about all the areas where New Zealand and the United States have interests in common. These include the prosperity and stability of the Pacific Islands, space and technology, as well as Antarctica where our cooperation has been deep and longstanding. This visit has provided the starting point for considering what constructive cooperation between New Zealand and the United States might look like in the months and years ahead. This is just the first step. We will now go back to New Zealand to discuss with Cabinet colleagues what we have learned here in Washington DC. With Secretary Rubio, we have agreed to remain in close contact in the months ahead. We will no doubt see each other again later this year, whether at a regional meeting or back here in DC. -WP @SecRubio @StateDept @usembassynz @NZembassyUS

Yesterday at the @EU_Commission ‘Standing with Syria’ conference, New Zealand 🇳🇿 pledged $2m to support @UNICEFinSyria 🇺🇳 where 7.5m vulnerable children are in need of humanitarian assistance. 📸: @UNICEF Souleiman https://t.co/lFtvCV9kU5

ANNOUNCEMENT: I’ve arrived in Delhi and I’m glad to announce that New Zealand and India have agreed to launch negotiations on a comprehensive free trade agreement. It is through trade that we can boost the economies of both our countries, providing more jobs and higher incomes for Kiwis and Indians. India and New Zealand have a dynamic, multi-faceted relationship, with 300,000 Kiwi-Indians at its heart. And today that relationship just grew stronger.

We welcome the agreement reached by Ukraine and the United States on a potential ceasefire. We congratulate US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on this positive step. We also acknowledge Saudi Arabia’s role as the host of the talks between the United States and Ukraine. The ball is now in Russia’s court. We look forward to discussing ongoing developments with Secretary Rubio in Washington DC next week. -WP @SecRubio @ZelenskyyUa