The EU and Australian negotiating teams met in Brussels between 17 and 21 October for the 13th round of negotiations on the future EU-Australia trade agreement. Both sides hope that this will be the penultimate session before the next one in Canberra in February.
The European Commission reported “progress” during the week-long talks. Negotiators were able to temporarily close two chapters of the agreement: mutual administrative assistance and public procurement.
The key issue of sustainable development in the agreement was addressed, as were energy, raw materials, geographical indications and technical barriers to trade.
These same issues were brought forward by the delegation of nine MEPs who visited Canberra and Sydney in Australia, but also Wellington in New Zealand.
The visit was very “positive”, according to Bernd Lange (S&D, German) and Jörgen Warborn (EPP, Swedish). Their respective political groups are in favour of both agreements. Bernd Lange reported a “new mind set” in the negotiations with Australia.
The EU is also seeking to secure access to raw materials in this third country with significant mineral resources. “I urge the European Commission to do its utmost to ensure that we can have a new free trade agreement before the end of 2023”, Jörgen Warborn told EUROPE. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)