New Zealand sets record straight on EU associate membership report

New Zealand has clarified its position regarding joining the European Union as associate member.

The origin of such reports came from the European Parliament President Roberta Metsola’s claims who suggested that Australia and New Zealand could follow Canada into “associate membership” of the bloc.

"We've already seen it, both in terms of legislation that we pass, where we ​see partners from across the world, Australia, ​New Zealand ⁠being some examples of saying, look, we want to deepen our relationship,” she said in interview.

The remarks gave the impression that Wellington might be in talks with the EU about becoming a member. However, a spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters on Friday denied the possibility of such talks happening right now.

"There have been ​no discussions with the EU about New Zealand ⁠becoming an associate member," the spokesperson said.

However, Australia is backing Canada's efforts to strengthen relations with the European Union as Ottawa navigates a growing trade dispute with the US, a cabinet minister announced on Tuesday.

“We are ​on the same page. We will take great interest in what Carney does,” Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell told the Sydney Morning ​Herald.

On Thursday, Mark Carney welcomed the prospect of his country becoming the European Union’s first associate member in his recent address to the EU Parliament. The bloc does not have this status in its treaties. 

Speaking about the nature of membership, Carney defined it in the terms of Canada-Europe integration across trade, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, space & research and financial services to make both parties “less susceptible to economic and geopolitical pressure.”

When the EU backed Canada’s membership bid, President Donald Trump mocked Canada and called it the terrible trade partner of the US. Moreover, he issued a tariff warning to the EU as the bloc backed its associate membership bid.