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

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(5) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) On 22 May 2018, the Council authorised the Commission to negotiate a free trade agreement with New Zealand.

(2) On 30 June 2022, the negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand (‘the Agreement’) were successfully concluded.

(3) The Agreement should be signed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The signing, on behalf of the Union, of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand (‘the Agreement’) is hereby authorised, subject to the conclusion of the said Agreement. (1)

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement on behalf of the Union.

Article 3

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

Done at Luxembourg, 27 June 2023.

For the Council

The President

J. ROSWALL

(1) The text of the Agreement will be published together with the decision on its conclusion.