Trade and investment

Australia-EU FTA negotiations 

Australia and the EU launched negotiations for a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in June 2018.  The launch was announced during the visit to Australia by then-EU Trade Commissioner Malmström. Both sides have made public reference to their commitment to achieving a comprehensive and ambitious outcome. Such an agreement has the potential to generate significant commercial benefits. It would also reflect the shared interest of Australia and the EU in protecting and promoting an effective global rules-based order and in keeping trade flowing to boost the post-coronavirus recovery.  Nine negotiating rounds have been held to date.  The latest round was held by videoconference in December 2020.  A tenth round will be held in March 2021, with intersessional discussions on services and investment in February.  Engage with the Australian FTA negotiating team here.

                                                                                                        5th round of negotiations in Canberra, 14-18 October 2019

Science, research and innovation

Australia and the European Commission held their 15^th Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee Meeting on 23 July in Canberra. The meeting was co-chaired by Director General of the European Commission’s DG Research and Innovation, Jean-Eric Paquet, and by Australia’s a/g Deputy Secretary in the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.

The meeting presented an opportunity for the European Commission and Australia to discuss the critical role that science and innovation can play in addressing the rapidly changing technological environment together with common global social, environmental and economic challenges. Both countries discussed the current areas of collaboration as well as areas of potential future collaboration. The official Communique is available here.

Foreign and Security Policy

Australia-EU Framework Agreement
The Framework Agreement between the European Union and Australia is a vehicle for enhancing cooperation across the bilateral agenda where Australian and EU interests are aligned. The Agreement was signed on 7 August 2017 and entered into force (on a provisional basis pending ratification by all EU member states) on 4 October 2018.  Three meetings have been held of the Joint Committee that was established by the Framework Agreement to take forward a program of dialogue and cooperation.  The first meeting was on 13 November in Canberra,  the second took place on 24 June 2019 in Brussels, and the third took place via VTC on 19 October 2020.  The statements released after the 2020 meeting can be viewed at: https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/europe/european-union/Pages/australia-european-union-eu-framework-agreement. 

Development
On 6 February 2019 the EU and Australia discussed stepping up their joint efforts in a number of development areas during their latest Development Dialogue in Brussels.  This was the third Development Dialogue and represents the high priority for both sides of holding regular exchanges in this area.  We confirmed our commitment to the rules-based order and explored opportunities for working together in the Indo-Pacific and through our respective approaches to infrastructure financing and connectivity.  The next dialogue will be held in Australia by 2020.

AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS LINKS
Austrade - Frankfurt office
Austrade - Paris office

Australian Network in Belgium (ANiB)

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT NEWS LINKS
Prime Minister The Hon Scott Morrison, MP 
Minister for  Foreign Affairs  Senator The Hon Marise Payne
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment  Senator The Hon Simon Birmingham, MP
Treasurer The Hon Josh Frydenberg, MP
Minister for Agriculture Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie
Minister for Home Affairs The Hon Peter Dutton, MP
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade