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DRAFT REPORT (2026/2034(INI))

On strategic political relations with Australia – potential for deeper ties in the face of a volatile international order

AFET-PR-789129

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Željana Zovko

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A draft report by the Committee on Foreign Affairs on strategic political relations with Australia. It calls for deeper EU-Australia ties across foreign policy, security, trade, critical raw materials, digital and green transitions, research and parliamentary dialogue. It welcomes the concluded EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement negotiations, the Security and Defence Partnership and Australia's association to Horizon Europe, and asks the EU to work with Australia on defence, maritime security, Pacific island diplomacy and supply chain resilience. It expresses concern at China's military build-up and past economic coercion of Australian exports, and calls for coordinated reform of international organisations. It asks for bilateral relations to be raised to a strategic partnership with regular leaders' summits and a structured parliamentary dialogue.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes that Parliament call for elevating EU-Australia relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, deepening cooperation on security, defence, trade, critical raw materials, digital, climate, research and parliamentary dialogue, and raising concerns about China's military build-up and past economic coercion.

Key points

  1. Highlights Australia as the EU's key like-minded partner in the Indo-Pacific and stresses the region's geostrategic importance for global trade and freedom of navigation.
  2. Acknowledges Australia's 'community of the West' concept and underlines the need to strengthen trade, investment and industrial ties to diversify supply chains and reduce excessive dependencies on China.
  3. Welcomes cooperation in the UN, G20, World Trade Organization and OECD and calls for coordinated reform of international organisations such as the UN and the WTO.
  4. Commends Australia's diplomatic and military support for Ukraine, including training of Ukrainian forces, humanitarian assistance, sanctions and accountability efforts against Russia.
  5. Remains concerned by China's military build-up and assertive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific, condemns past economic coercion against Australian exports and notes recent trade stabilisation.
  6. Welcomes the EU-Australia Security and Defence Partnership and calls for enhanced maritime security cooperation, joint naval exercises and Australian participation in EU-led maritime missions.
  7. Calls for deeper cooperation on hybrid threats, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, online radicalisation and defence industry technologies, and for swift modernisation of the EU-Australia classified information agreement.
  8. Calls for EU collaboration with Australia and the Pacific Islands Forum on connectivity, sustainable development, climate action and regional security, and for training of young Pacific island diplomats.
  9. Welcomes the conclusion of EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement negotiations, highlights its SME chapter and SME Contact Points, and notes it will liberalise investment and strengthen critical raw material supply chains.
  10. Encourages full use of the EU-Australia strategic partnership on critical minerals and welcomes the European Investment Bank's declaration of intent with Australia on critical raw materials projects.
  11. Highlights a regular EU-Australia digital dialogue on platform oversight and protection of minors online, and welcomes climate cooperation and the shared goal of climate neutrality by 2050.
  12. Values 30 years of scientific cooperation, welcomes Australia's association to Horizon Europe, supports exchange and mobility programmes, and calls for elevating relations to a strategic partnership with regular summits and parliamentary dialogue.

Who is affected

  • Australia: the EU seeks deeper political, security, trade, research and diplomatic ties.
  • EU businesses, especially SMEs: the FTA is to open investment and trade and its benefits are to be communicated.
  • Pacific island countries: the EU is to work with Australia on connectivity, development, climate and security, and train their diplomats.
  • Researchers and young professionals: exchange, mobility and Horizon Europe association are to be expanded.
  • The European Parliament and the Parliament of Australia: a structured parliamentary dialogue is proposed.

Figures and deadlines

  • Australia is the EU's third-largest trading partner and second-largest foreign investor.
  • Australia is the world's largest producer of lithium.
  • 30 years of EU-Australia scientific cooperation are valued.
  • Shared goal of climate neutrality by 2050.

Legal basis: Article 37 of the Treaty on European Union.