During her trip to Asia and the Pacific in early August, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini argued in favour of strengthening cooperation, mainly in relation to security.
In Australia, Mogherini and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop “agreed to a number of concrete measures to strengthen the important EU/Australia partnership”, they state in a joint press release.
The framework agreement signed in August 2017 aims to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on issues such as terrorism, non-proliferation, the environment and energy, human rights, migration, trade, education and science, research and innovation (see EUROPE 11845).
Both parties committed to strengthening cooperation on cyber issues “including cooperation when it comes to promoting responsible State behaviour in cyberspace and deterring and responding to malicious cyber activities”. Another objective is to continue consolidating cooperation through the Global Coalition to Defeat Da’esh and the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum.
Julie Bishop announced that Australia would be deploying civilian expertise to EU-led crisis response and capacity-building missions in third countries.
“We agreed to continue strengthening coordination and collaboration in the Pacific, including through development cooperation “, Mogherini added.
Links must also be strengthened with New Zealand. Addressing the press, in the presence of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern or Foreign Minister Winston Peters, the High Representative highlighted the “natural partnership” between the EU and New Zealand.
Mogherini also announced heightened cooperation when it comes to security, including cyber security and maritime security.
Finally, during the post-ministerial EU/ASEAN conference, Mogherini underlined the “huge” potential of increased cooperation between the EU and the South East Asian nations (ASEAN).
She said during her opening remarks “From free trade to migration, from defence to counter-terrorism and climate change, together we can make our two regions stronger”.
According to the High Representative, new areas of partnership will be explored in Brussels in October during the meeting of EU/ASEAN leaders and the 22nd EU/ASEAN ministerial meeting in a few months’ time. She also announced that the EU was ready to begin cooperation as an observer within the meeting of ASEAN-Plus defence ministers. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant).