Brussels, 21 October 2022
Today, the framework agreement between the EU and Australia officially enters into force, marking a new phase in the bilateral relationship.
This milestone agreement consolidates the strategic partnership between the EU and Australia and encourages closer links among leaders, business and civil society.
Importantly, the agreement will guide future engagement between both parties and enable them to tackle challenges at the bilateral, regional and global levels.
The objective of the framework agreement is to strengthen cooperation across a broad range of policy areas, namely:
- Foreign policy and security,
- Global development and humanitarian aid,
- Economic and trade issues,
- Justice and legal cooperation,
- Research, innovation and the information society,
- Education and culture,
- Sustainable development, energy, and transport,
- Fisheries and maritime affairs,
- Health.
Background
On 15 April 2016, the High Representative and the Commission submitted to the Council a joint proposal for a Council Decision on the signature and provisional application of the framework agreement between the EU and its member states, and Australia. The agreement was signed in Manila, the Philippines, on 7 August 2017.
On 28 November 2016, the High Representative and the Commission submitted to the Council a joint proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the framework agreement, with the European Parliament giving its consent on 18 April 2018.
The decision on the conclusion of the framework agreement was adopted by the Council on 20 September 2022, clearing the path for the agreement’s entry into force today.
- Council Decision on the conclusion on behalf of the Union of the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Australia, of the other part
- EU-Australia Relations, EEAS website
- EU-Australia: Council adopts decision for the conclusion of a framework agreement
- Delegation of the European Union to Australia
Source – EU Council