It is a very important step, not only for Australia and the European Union.

We are far (geographically) but we are like-minded on basically everything we do in our regions and globally.

We share common interests and a common approach to international cooperation and our strong commitment, our joint commitment, to a rules-based global order.

I am sure that this agreement will be of high significance for our people but also for those who are in-between Australia and the European Union geographically and for all those who in the world are committed to a multilateral system based on cooperation.

So, I am very happy we are signing this today and this is – I believe – also the first step towards further agreements; we are looking forward to working on the launching of further negotiations of a free-trade agreement between the European Union and Australia.

So, we will continue to work together towards that objective.

Thank you.

Link to the video: http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/video/player.cfm?ref=I142365
 

For more information:

EU-Australia relations factsheet

EU-Australia Framework Agreement