COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2024/244

of 27 November 2023

on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 91(1), Article 100(2) and Article 207(4), first subparagraph, in conjunction with Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v), and Article 218(7) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament (1),

Whereas:

(1) In accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2023/1323 (2), the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand (‘the Agreement’) was signed on 9 July 2023, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

(2) In accordance with Article 218(7) of the Treaty, it is appropriate to authorise the Commission to approve, on the Union’s behalf, after consultation with the special committee appointed by the Council in accordance with Article 207(3) of the Treaty, modifications to the Agreement that are to be adopted by means of a simplified procedure pursuant to Article 14.4 or 18.33, or Article 24.3, point (h) or (i), of the Agreement.

(3) The Agreement, in accordance with Article 27.6 thereof, does not, within the Union, confer rights or impose obligations on persons, other than those created between the Union and New Zealand under public international law.

(4) The Agreement should be approved,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand (‘the Agreement’) is hereby approved on behalf of the Union (3).

Article 2

For the purposes of Article 14.4 and Article 24.3, point (h), of the Agreement, modifications, rectifications or amendments as regards Annex 14 to the Agreement shall be approved by the Commission on the Union’s behalf after consultation with the special committee appointed by the Council in accordance with Article 207(3) of the Treaty.

Article 3

For the purposes of Article 18.33 and Article 24.3, point (i), of the Agreement, amendments to Annex 18-A or 18-B to the Agreement shall be approved by the Commission on the Union’s behalf after consultation with the special committee appointed by the Council in accordance with Article 207(3) of the Treaty.

Article 4

The President of the Council shall, on behalf of the Union, give the notification provided for in Article 27.2(1) of the Agreement (4).

Article 5

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 27 November 2023.

For the Council

The President

X. MÉNDEZ BÉRTOLO

(1) Consent of 22 November 2023 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

(2) Council Decision (EU) 2023/1323 of 27 June 2023 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand (

OJ L 166, 30.6.2023, p. 48

(3) The text of the Agreement is published in

OJ L, 2024/229, 28.2.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree/2024/229/oj

(4) The date of entry into force of the Agreement will be published in the

Official Journal of the European Union

by the General Secretariat of the Council.

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/244/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)