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(1) recognising their shared values and close historical, political, economic and cultural ties;
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(2) having regard in particular to their shared commitment to the respect for and promotion of human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law which underpins their internal and external policies;
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(3) acknowledging the challenges of globalisation and recognising the need for heightened effective international cooperation in addressing them in an increasingly interdependent world;
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(4) committing to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and to strengthening the role of the UN;
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(5) supporting international peace and security and the peaceful resolution of conflicts and promoting stability, through counter-terrorism, the non-proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery, and controls on the international transfer of conventional weapons, including the illicit trafficking and excessive and destabilising accumulation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition;
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(6) reaffirming their commitment to the development of a healthy and prosperous world economy, to open market principles, the improvement of market access in accordance with the aims and principles of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the strengthening of the multilateral trading system;
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(7) reaffirming their commitment to promoting openness of trade in agricultural, food and fisheries products in support of efforts to increase international food security;
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(8) recognising the importance of two-way trade and investment flows between Australia and the EU and the value of the multilateral trading system;
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(9) reaffirming their commitment to support developing countries in their pursuit of sustainable development and to encourage democracy, good governance and the rule of law by improving development assistance, broadening market access and encouraging the efficient use of foreign assistance and the sustainable use of national resources;
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(10) noting the growing strategic importance of the Asia and Pacific regions and recognising the mutual interest of both Australia and the European Union in greater engagement with these regions and contributing to strengthening institutions there ;
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(11) underlining the importance of prompt and effective action to tackle climate change by working together to implement the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol, and to forge a comprehensive post 2012 global climate change outcome;
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(12) recognising the impact climate change may have on international security in the longer term and the additional stress it may pose in already fragile or conflict prone areas;
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(13) recognising international efforts, in the context of increasing global competition for non-renewable energy resources, towards enhancing energy security, improving the competitiveness and transparency of global energy markets as well as a shared interest between the EU and Australia in ensuring stable, competitive and sustainable supplies of energy and also recognising the relationship of energy production and consumption to the environment;
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(14) recognising that international cooperation in science, technology, innovation and education is fundamental to promoting economic prosperity and welfare in globalising, knowledge-based economies, and a shared interest in exploring the potential for cooperation on research programs in Australia and the EU on issues of a global dimension;
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(15) determined to foster mutual knowledge and understanding between their peoples and of their cultures;
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(16) determined to improve the quality of human resources in both the EU and Australia , by facilitating the acquisition of skills required to meet the challenges of the global knowledge-based economy;
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(17) noting the progress made in developing their long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship through the adoption of the Joint Declaration on Relations between the European Union and Australia of 26 June 1997 and implementation of the 2003 Agenda for Cooperation;
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(18) have decided to broaden and deepen the overall framework of the European Union-Australia Partnership through a new Framework supporting the following common goals:
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strengthening bilateral and multilateral dialogue and cooperation in support of shared foreign policy and global security interests;
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promoting and supporting the multilateral rules-based trading system, and consolidating and expanding the bilateral trade and investment relationship;
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enhancing regional and bilateral cooperation and coordination in relation to the Asia and Pacific regions;
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seeking opportunities to cooperate on climate change, environment, energy security, fisheries and forestry;
- strengthening cooperation in science, research, technology and innovation, education and culture and to facilitate the movement of people.
Review mechanism
At the request of either party, this EU-Australia Partnership Framework may be reviewed or modified by mutual consent. Any modification should be done in writing.
The implementation of the Action Plan of the Australia-EU Partnership Framework will be reviewed on a regular basis and reported to the EU-Australia Ministerial TROIKA consultations.
Framework for dialogue and consultations
The European Union and Australia welcome annual bilateral Ministerial Troika consultations. The European Union and Australia also confirm the value of the annual Senior Officials meetings, alternating flexibly between Brussels and Canberra , and of holding regular Ministerial-level consultations, alternating between Brussels and Australia . Opportunities will be sought for further dialogue through high-level visits and in the margins of international meetings. The European Union and Australia also note the regular exchanges between the European Parliament and the Australian Parliament.
Other dialogues and exchanges between Australia and the European Union include:
Experts Troika meetings on Asia (COASI Troika)
Informal Security Talks
Agricultural Trade and Marketing Experts Group (ATMEG)
Trade Policy Dialogue
Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee
Senior Officials' Dialogue on Migration and Asylum
High Level Dialogue on the Environment
Dialogue on the Pacific with EU Heads of Delegation
