WELLINGTON, July 31 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker has held talks with British International Trade Secretary Liz Truss in London to discuss a future trade deal between the two countries.
A New Zealand government statement said on Wednesday Parker met Truss less than a week after her appointment to the Boris Johnson government, and the two discussed a range of areas for future cooperation.
Parker welcomed the reaffirmation by Truss of the shared commitment to move ahead quickly on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as soon as Britain leaves the European Union, building on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's talks with former British Prime Minister Theresa May in London in January.
"New Zealand and the UK have deep and long-standing ties built on a shared history and shared values," he said.
"That, and our track record as an honest negotiating partner, means it is natural we should be an early first choice for the UK to form an even closer trade partnership, through the negotiation of a high quality, comprehensive and inclusive FTA, shortly after its departure from the EU," the minister said.
Truss said: "I want New Zealand to be one of the first free trade agreements the UK signs as we prepare to become an independent trading nation once again."
The two nations established a trade policy dialogue in late 2016.
