The European Union and Australia

Other EU Agreements with Australia

In addition to the Joint Political Declaration and the Science & Technology Agreement there are a range of specific Agreements and Arrangements which facilitate cooperation and dialogue between the European Union and Australia. Below is a brief summary of the more active of these mechanisms.

Wine Agreement

In 1994 the EU and Australia concluded an Agreement to regulate and promote the bilateral flows of trade in wine. One section of the document sets out the oenological practices and processes authorised by both parties with a view to protecting public health. A second section provides reciprocal protection of wine names and related provisions on description and presentation of wines. The latter involves the protection of geographical indications and traditional expressions. Overall the aim is to protect the relevant intellectual properties in wine terms and to prevent fake representation to consumers. Trade in wine is an important aspect of the bilateral relationship, with Australian exports to the EU worth $A477m in 1997/98 or 55% of the value of all wine exports. Not only is the EU Australia's major market but the EU is also the major supplier of wines to Australia, a trade worth $A93m in 1997/98, or 80% of total imports. 1998/99 saw Australian exports worth close to $A990m with sales to the EU worth close to $A560m.

Euratom/Australia Agreement This Treaty level Agreement came into force in 1982 and concerns the transfers of nuclear material from Australia to the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). The Agreement is intended to "... establish conditions, consistent with the Parties' determination to ensure furtherance of the objective of non-proliferation, under which nuclear material can be transferred from Australia to the Community for peaceful purposes."

The Agreement applies to all forms of nuclear material transferred from Australia to Euratom for peaceful purposes, whether directly or through a third country, and continues to apply until the material is considered no longer useable for any nuclear activity. Further, nuclear material cannot be transferred from Euratom without first the prior approval of the Australian authorities. The Agreement is complementary to any bilateral agreements Australia may have with a Member State (e.g. with France, UK, Sweden and Austria) and, where appropriate, supersedes these bilateral agreements.

Nuclear material subject to the Agreement "... shall not be used for, or diverted to, the manufacture of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, research on or development of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, or be used for any military purposes." Compliance is ensured by a system of safeguards which involves detailed reporting, monitoring and inspection throughout all stages of the nuclear cycle.

EC/Australia Joint Group on Industrial Cooperation (JGIC)

This JGIC initiative was established in 1991 with the purpose to "encourage greater mutual understanding of EU and Australian industry and industry-related policies and to promote industrial cooperation between the EU and Australia". It does this by establishing regular contacts between representatives from specific industry sectors and relevant officials from both sides. Normally an officials-only JGIC meeting is held in association with the EC/ Australia Ministerial Consultations, with meetings encouraging industry-to-industry contact held at mutually agreed times. Topics to date include: Environment Industries, Information Technology and Information Society.

EC/Australia Cooperation on Environment

A 1991 exchange of letters established a framework for collaboration and dialogue between the European Commission and the Australian Government on environmental matters of common interest.

Under this mechanism, High Level Officials dialogue has taken place which has deepened understanding of each other's environmental priorities and perspectives and identified a range of issues for ongoing bilateral dialogue.

EC/Australia High Level Group on Energy

This group was established in 1991 by a formal exchange of letters. The purpose of the group is to facilitate the exchange of information and understanding of energy policies and issues, and to explore joint participation in, development, trade and energy technology promotion, so as to enhance long-term cooperation and stimulate the development of commercial relationships to the benefit of both the European Community and Australia.

EC/Australia Agreement on Coal

In 1993 in the margins of the GATT Uruguay Round Agreement, a bilateral agreement was reached between the European Community and Australia on coal. This Agreement committed the EC to an immediate standstill in the aggregate level of subsidised coal production; to a gradual and regular reduction in EC subsidised production; and to transform existing measures into more transparent forms of assistance, where practicable. The Agreement committed Australia not to use export measures in a manner which would disrupt normal and foreseeable commercial trade flows and for there to be effectively no barrier to foreign participation in the Australian coal mining industry.

Joint Declaration on education and training

On 18 April 2007, the European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Mr Ján Figel', and the Australian Minister for Education, Science and Training, The Hon Julie Bishop MP, signed a Joint Declaration reinforcing co-operation in the fields of education and training.