NZ warned over trade hopes with Russia
Britain has fired a warning shot over New Zealand plans to create closer ties with Russia.
British High Commissioner to New Zealand Laura Clarke suggested a free trade agreement with Russia, in the wake of the use of a chemical weapon on an exRussian spy and his daughter in England, could impact trade deals with the European Union and Britain. Clarke told Radio NZ that talks about free trade agreements with the EU and Britain ‘‘never happen in a vacuum’’.
The strong words from Clarke come after Britain ordered the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats believed to be involved in espionage-related activities, in response to the use of the banned chemical weapon.
While Russia has denied being behind the attack, Britain’s analysis found the nerve agent was the Russian chemical weapon Novichok, and either the attack was carried out by the Russian state, or Russia had lost control of its chemical weapon. British Prime Minister Theresa May also outlined a range of other steps, including a halt to highlevel meetings with Russian officials and calling off a visit to Britain by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has condemned the attack but has been clear on his plans to work towards an agreement with Russia.
The commitment towards a trade deal with the Russia-BelarusKazakhstan customs union is included in NZ First’s coalition agreement with Labour.
Clarke told Radio NZ that the EU and Britain were ‘‘very keen’’ to secure trade agreements with New Zealand, and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said an EU deal was still New Zealand’s top priority. But Clarke’s comments implied there may not be room for a deal with Russia, and the EU and Britain. ‘‘I’ll leave it to New Zealand to reach conclusions there about compatibility and prioritisation ... Who New Zealand does FTAs with is a matter for New Zealand.
‘‘These discussions between the EU and New Zealand, and discussions between the UK and New Zealand never happen in a vacuum. A whole range of different factors are always discussed.’’
Sanctions against Russia were in place for a reason, she said, adding that Russia’s ‘‘aggression’’ was an ‘‘affront to how the world works’’.
‘‘And New Zealand more than any other country needs the rulesbased order to work. If you’re a small, outward looking, trading nation, like New Zealand, you need the laws to work. And what Russia is doing is undermining those laws.’’
Clarke’s comments echo concerns voiced by an EU ambassador late last year, who said any move to undermine the sanctions against Russia would be taken with a ‘‘dim view’’ in Europe.