EU and Australian leaders commit to strengthen cooperation on the coronavirus recovery, bilateral relations and global challenges
Today, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, held a videoconference call. Building on the close relationship between the EU and Australia, which was formalised through a bilateral Framework Agreement in 2017, the leaders reconfirmed their determination to work together to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, including the development and provision of affordable vaccines and the support of the World Health Organisation. They committed to step up cooperation on the post-pandemic socio-economic recovery, tackling the urgent challenge of climate change and accelerating the digital transformation. The leaders noted good progress in the ongoing negotiations for an EU-Australia Trade Agreement. They also discussed international developments including in Asia and the Pacific as well as cooperation in international organisations. The leaders also recognised the importance of further engaging with ASEAN. More information is available on the joint press release, on the dedicated factsheet on the EU-Australia relations and on the website of the EU Delegation in Canberra.
