Hungary to discuss EU trade with New Zealand

Wellington, Feb 16: A free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and New Zealand will be on the agenda when Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto visits New Zealand on Friday, a media report said on Thursday.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said he will meet with Szijjarto in Auckland on Friday, Xinhua news agency reported.

"This visit presents an opportunity to deepen this relationship, including through discussing trade opportunities and New Zealand's ambitions for a free trade agreement with the EU," McCully said in a statement.

The visit marks the growing links between the two countries, he said.

"In recent years, New Zealand's relationship with Hungary has benefited from the annual Working Holiday Scheme, where up to 100 young New Zealanders and Hungarians can live and work in the other's country each year."

During his visit, Szijjarto will officially open the Hungarian Embassy in Wellington, deliver a public speech in Parliament on the future of the EU post-Brexit, and speak at a trade forum.

New Zealand and the EU are due to start negotiations on a trade agreement in 2017.