The second EU-Australia Leaders’ Meeting was held in Bali on the margins of the G20 on Wednesday 16 November. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, were able to discuss a wide range of issues with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The leaders discussed the war in Ukraine, climate change, the situation in the Indo-Pacific region, trade and digital transformation. They also welcomed the entry into force of the EU-Australia Framework Agreement (see EUROPE 13025/23).
The two sides are currently working on a trade agreement for which the next round of negotiations will be held in February in Canberra (see EUROPE 13049/16). The leaders agreed to “prioritise the conclusion of an ambitious and comprehensive agreement”.
In addition, in an interview with EUROPE, MEP Bernd Lange (S&D, German), who was in Canberra in September, expressed optimism that the Australians were willing to conclude an ambitious trade agreement with the EU in terms of sustainable development.
Climate change
The EU and Australia want to bring together their respective experts, companies and governments to work on solutions for energy efficiency, renewable energy, low-carbon hydrogen and clean value chains.
They committed to work together to establish resilient, ethical and sustainable value chains in critical minerals. The future trade agreement should support these objectives, according to the three leaders.
They also agreed to start discussions on a partnership on critical and strategic minerals.
War in Ukraine
The EU and Australia condemned again the war in Ukraine and welcomed their respective efforts to end it. The consequences of the war were also discussed and the EU recognised the role that Canberra can play in contributing to the stability of global gas markets through its continued supply in the Indo-Pacific.
Further discussions are expected to take place on this energy issue. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)