Anthony Albanese to negotiate on security and defence pact with the European Union
Anthony Albanese has officially confirmed that Australia will commence negotiations on a Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union, as Australia firms up strategic support with allied countries in a precarious global environment.
Mirroring similar partnerships the EU has with Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom, the agreement moves to boost defence co-operation between the two countries in areas such as defence industry, counter terrorism, and critical technologies.
It would not be legally binding or considered a treaty, and Australia would not be required to send troops should an EU member be attacked.
The Prime Minister confirmed he had accepted the invite following a trilateral meeting with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa on Wednesday, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles set to lead negotiations.
The agreement will create a framework for how the two countries will work together on issues like cyber security, and counter-terrorism.
Mr Albanese said the partnership was a 'key takeout' of his meetings at the G7.
'I very much welcome the EU's offer for a Security and Defence Partnership and Australia will warmly take it upand commence work immediately,' he said.
'This will open the door to joint defence procurement opportunities and will benefit both our industries and our security.
'At a time of global uncertainty, it is our collective responsibility to work together to uphold peace, security and economic prosperity.
The need for greater allied collaboration also featured heavily in Mr Albanese's bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday (AEST).
Both men spoke about growing collaboration between Australia and Japan to maintain a 'free and open Pacific' amid increasing aggression from China.
Mr Ishiba said the state of international affairs was 'becoming more complex,' naming conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East and China's military presence in the Indo-Pacific.
'Under such circumstances, I think Japan (and) Australia co-ordination really continues to set an example of what a like-minded country's co-operation is, and going to going forward together, I would like to make sure that free and open in the Pacific will be realised,' he said.
Mr Albanese said Japan and Australia shared 'a very special partnership and a strategic relationship'.
'Increasingly in recent years, our defence ties have become more important,' he added.
'Both countries are strong supporters of free and fair trade, and that is something that has brought prosperity to not just our nations, but to our region.'
Mr Albanese's appearance at the G7 also coincides with a sudden 30-day Pentagon review of the AUKUS security pact by the Trump administration, which prompted fears the 2018 agreement could be scrapped.
While it was expected to be a prominent topic of conversation during a 20-minute conversation between Mr Albanese and Donald Trump, the talks were put on ice after the US President departed the summit early due to the escalating violence between Israel and Iran.
Fears for AUKUS were still somewhat allayed after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed in the deal during a press conference with Mr Trump.
'Yep, we're proceeding with that,' Sir Keir said following his bilateral meeting with Mr Trump.
'I think the person that is doing a review – we did a review when we came into government, so that makes good sense to me. But it's a really important deal.'
Although Mr Trump didn't go as far to back in AUKUS, he said of the UK and the US: 'We're very long-time partners and allies and friends, and we've become friends in a short period of time.'
Originally published as Anthony Albanese to negotiate on security and defence pact with the European Union
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Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat. The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis." *JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHIGERU ISHIBA "It is crucial that there be a quick de-escalation of the conflict. We are closely monitoring the situation there with grave concern." * AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON "We have been clear that Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program has been a threat to international peace and security. We note the US president's statement that now is the time for peace. The security situation in the region is highly volatile. 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Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat. The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis." *JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHIGERU ISHIBA "It is crucial that there be a quick de-escalation of the conflict. We are closely monitoring the situation there with grave concern." * AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON "We have been clear that Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program has been a threat to international peace and security. We note the US president's statement that now is the time for peace. The security situation in the region is highly volatile. We continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy." *NEW ZEALAND FOREIGN MINISTER WINSTON PETERS "We acknowledge developments in the last 24 hours, including President Trump's announcement of US strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran. Ongoing military action in the Middle East is extremely worrying, and it is critical further escalation is avoided. New Zealand strongly supports efforts towards diplomacy. We urge all parties to return to talks. Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action." *CHINA'S GOVERNMENT-RUN MEDIA An online piece by CGTN, the foreign-language arm of the state broadcaster, said the US strikes mark a dangerous turning point. "History has repeatedly shown that military interventions in the Middle East often produce unintended consequences, including prolonged conflicts and regional destabilisation," it said, citing the American invasion of Iraq in 2003. 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