09/10/2023 (Agence Europe) – In a joint note published on Sunday 8 October, BusinessEurope and the European Australian Business Council urge the European Union and Australia to “demonstrate their commitment to economic competitiveness and international cooperation” by completing negotiations for a “comprehensive and mutually beneficial” free trade agreement between the two parties. The two European and Australian business associations emphasise that the ratification of such an agreement “would contribute to the diversification of supply chains, notably of critical raw materials and hydrogen”. Negotiations between the EU and Australia have been underway since 2018. However, disagreements persist between the two parties, particularly over access for Australian agricultural products to the European market (see EUROPE 13240/7). The press release: https://aeur.eu/f/8yn (IS)