EU and Australia move closer

Today - Thursday, 8 October - a ministerial meeting between the EU and Australia took place in Stockholm. The EU was represented by Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner. Stephen Smith, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, represented Australia. The meeting addressed relations between the EU and Australia, and the partnership agreement that was negotiated last year was revised.

Photographer: Stina Gullander / Regeringskansliet

Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt with the upgraded partnership agreement in his hands. Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith.

"We began the partnership last year and we have already come so far that we need to upgrade it. This is excellent," said Benita Ferrero-Waldner after the meeting.

The partnership agreement that was signed in Paris last autumn has led to concrete progress in the relationship between the EU and Australia. An agreement on wine trade between the EU and Australia has been signed and negotiations on a new air transport agreement between the EU and Australia have begun.

In the revised partnership agreement, cooperation between the EU and Australia is extended through improved coordination of development assistance, the development of clean energy technology and increased cooperation within the areas of technology and research.

"I am pleased with the progress we have made today and the consensus that there is between the EU and Australia," said Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith after the meeting.

"We were able to have a comprehensive exchange of views. We have good cooperation on a number of levels," said Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.

Regional and global issues were also discussed at the meeting. These included the G20, preparations for the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen and discussions on the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan . The outcome of the meeting of the international organisation the Pacific Islands Forum in August was also discussed.

"With regard to the Pacific region, the EU can learn a lot from Australia," said Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

Photographer: Boris Vasic/UD