Australia to hold talks aimed at entering defence pact with EU

The Guardian

9 hours ago

Australia is to hold formal negotiations on joining a new defence agreement with the European Union, with the prime minister preparing to discuss plans for enhanced security cooperation at this week's G7 summit in Canada.
Amid the deteriorating international security landscape, Anthony Albanese will use the talks with EU Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and the European Council president, António Costa, in Alberta to explore a security and defence partnership, proposed at the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV in Rome last month.
It could involve military exercises and other cooperation in areas of mutual interest including foreign interference, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, defence industries and critical technologies.
Australia had been cool on the idea but it was discussed with the defence minister, Richard Marles, at the Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore, and last week the EU's ambassador to Australia, Gabriele Visentin, confirmed that talks were under way in Brussels.
After arriving in Calgary on Sunday local time, Albanese confirmed that Australia could sign on to a deal similar to those agreed between the EU and Japan, South Korea and the UK.
Marles and the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, have been charged with developing the plans through work with their counterparts.
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Von der Leyen said the agreement could be in the interest of both parties because the EU was 'predictable' and shared the same values as Australia.
Europe and Australia are both under growing pressure from the US president, Donald Trump, to significantly increase defence spending. The Nato secretary general, Mark Rutte, this week warned countries not prepared to spend more should 'learn to speak Russian'.
'I'll enter those discussions constructively but we look to cooperate to strengthen Australia's capacity,' Albanese said.
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'We invest in our capability and we invest in our relationships. The two things are important and often an investment in our relationships can produce very effective outcomes economically as well.'
Albanese said caution from the government after talks in Rome reflected the fact that it was the first time the proposal had been floated by the EU side.
The negotiations come as the growing war between Israel and Iran overshadows the talks between the leaders of the world's biggest economies. Australia is attending as a trusted partner of G7 countries.
Albanese met Canada's prime minister, Mark Carney, shortly after arriving from the US. The two leaders discussed Canada's interest in joining the second pillar of the Aukus nuclear agreement, which is designed to better share technology and military applications including artificial intelligence, hypersonics and super-computing.
'We have shared experience and shared values, and often we have fought side by side, Australia and Canada,' Albanese said.
Carney raised cooperation with Australia on projects such as the over-the-horizon radar project, an early-warning radar system along the Canada-US border into the Arctic. Australia is a leader in the advanced system that allows for continuous threat-tracking over a vast area.
'As the world becomes increasingly dangerous, Canada and Australia will deepen their bilateral relationship and build shared growth,' a readout from the Canadian prime minister's office said.
Albanese will hold bilateral talks with the leaders of Japan, South Korea, Germany and France while in Canada. His meeting with Trump looms as the most significant appointment of the six-day overseas trip.
The US is conducting a snap review of the agreement for the US and UK to share nuclear submarine technology with Australia and Albanese is expected to push for an exemption to steel and aluminium tariffs imposed by the White House.
'We've got a few things to talk about,' Albanese said.