UPDATED 8.20am: Hopes a free trade deal with Europe will be a reality quite soon.

Tim Groser will be talking up the idea with European trade ministers, at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week.

Special agriculture trade envoy Mike Petersen told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking Angela Merkel expressed support from Germany on her New Zealand visit.

"We're getting a group of countries up there now who I think will advocate quite strongly for it.

"I'm confident we can get negotiating this year and I think it could be done quite quickly."

Mike Petersen says it also appears the United Kingdom will be on board too.

 

NZ a Pacific 'gateway'

New Zealand's trade salesman is talking up New Zealand as a Pacific gateway, for European markets.

Tim Groser will be discussing a possible free trade deal with the continent, at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The Trade Minister told Newstalk ZB's Rachel Smalley many European countries see New Zealand as a strategic way to reach other markets.

"What we know is the European Union is very keen now to diversify strategic links into the Asia Pacific."

Tim Groser says for Europe to relax its agricultural protections for a free trade deal, there needs to be something in it for them.

He adds European Union countries will need to see New Zealand as a way to access the Asia Pacific.

"Nobody looks at this tiny country of ours which is already open to exports for them and thinks oh only we could get the prize of access to the New Zealand market."