First meeting of the EU - New Zealand Domestic Advisory Group

The EU Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) set up under the EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and tasked with advising on its implementation, held its first ever meeting at EESC premises, on 14 November 2025. Representatives from both DG Trade and the EU Delegation in Wellington reported on the FTA implementation status, as well as on the first activities of the counterpart DAG. An informal presidency-level DAG-to-DAG meeting will be organised by the end of the year, to lay the groundwork for 2026 work and joint activities , including the first joint meetings.

The EU DAG elected Ms Ellen Nygren (EESC, Gr. II) as chair,  and Ms Ksenija Simovic (COPA-COGECA, Gr. I) and Mr Rudolph Kolbe (EESC, Gr. III) as vice-chairs. The group will now work on identifying key priorities for its monitoring and advisory activities, aiming to contribute to the next round of FTA-related institutional meetings in 2026.