EU-Australia Joint Statement: FTA Talks Concluded, Cooperation Deepened
European Commission President von der Leyen, European Council President Costa and Australian Prime Minister Albanese met on the margins of the UN General Assembly to review progress in EU-Australia relations since von der Leyen's March 2026 visit to Australia. The three leaders welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on a comprehensive, ambitious, balanced and commercially meaningful Free Trade Agreement and looked forward to its signature as soon as possible; welcomed progress toward Australia's association to the Horizon Europe Programme for 2027; reflected on implementation of the EU-Australia Security and Defence Partnership covering hybrid and cyber threats, foreign information manipul…
Impact and considerations
The conclusion of FTA negotiations signals potentially material changes to trade and investment rules between the EU and Australia, so businesses should track the signature and entry-into-force timeline; critical raw materials cooperation and the October business mission offer sector-specific engagement opportunities;…
Key points
- The three leaders welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on a comprehensive, ambitious, balanced and commercially meaningful EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement and looked forward to its signature as soon as possible.
- They welcomed progress toward Australia's association to the Horizon Europe Programme for 2027.
- They reflected on implementation of the EU-Australia Security and Defence Partnership, covering hybrid and cyber threats, foreign information manipulation and interference, maritime security and crisis management.
- They discussed EU-Australia cooperation on critical raw materials, ahead of the Team Europe business mission to Australia in October 2026.
- The three leaders updated each other on their respective actions to protect young people from dangers associated with social media.
- They discussed geopolitical issues including continued support for Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and Iran, and relations with China and the Pacific.
- They underscored EU-Australia alignment on key geopolitical developments and committed to uphold the UN Charter and international law.
- They underlined the value of EU cooperation with the CPTPP and agreed to remain in close contact to explore further strengthening EU-Australia relations.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- European Commission
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 21 Sept 2026, 22:43
- Page published
- 22 Sept 2026, 05:05
- Last updated
- 21 Sept 2026, 22:43
- Original links
- European Commission Press Corner：Joint press release reviewing the progress of EU-Australia relations (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 21 Sept 2026, 22:43