🏛️🤝 EU and Australia finalize defence and trade pact negotiations

Oneliner

The EU and Australia have concluded negotiations on a defence and security pact, allowing Australian firms access to the EU's €60 billion arms fund. This agreement is expected to be announced alongside ongoing free trade talks, which face challenges over beef import quotas. The pact aims to enhance trade relations and ease tariffs, marking a significant step in EU-Australia cooperation.

Key points

• EU and Australia have concluded negotiations on a defence and security pact.
• The pact allows Australian firms access to the EU's €60 billion arms fund.
• Ongoing free trade talks face challenges, particularly regarding beef import quotas.
• The agreement aims to enhance trade relations and ease tariffs.

Links

• Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: EU und Australien: Verteidigungspakt und Handelsfragen
• ANSA: Von der Leyen, 'accordi commerciali cruciali per l'indipendenza dell'Ue' - Altre news - Ansa.it

Facts

• The defence pact allows Australian access to the EU's €60 billion arms fund.
• Negotiations began in 2018 and faced setbacks in 2021 and 2023.
• Australia seeks a beef import quota of 40,000 tonnes; the EU limits it to 30,000 tonnes.
• The agreement aims to eliminate tariffs and improve trade in services.

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