Latest news with #Visentin
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Informal talks of EU security deal under way with Canberra
Australia will push ahead with informal talks for a new security agreement with Europe which could involve future defence industry cooperation and intelligence sharing, the EU's top diplomat has confirmed. Gabriele Visentin, the European Union's ambassador to Australia, said both sides have agreed to informal talks about the prospect of a security pact after the EU floated the idea on the sidelines of Pope Leo XIV's inauguration in May. Mr Visentin said a potential deal would mirror similar agreements between the EU and other countries such as Japan and South Korea, which involve military exercises and other cooperation in areas of mutual interest. "It's not a military alliance. It's a partnership for co-operation on defence issues, including industrial things," the envoy told the National Press Club on Wednesday. "So there is no scope for an understanding in terms of transfer of troops or mutual help and mutual assistance." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appeared to initially downplay the idea of a security pact with the EU after noting Australia already had similar agreements in place with other European countries, including Germany. Mr Visentin indicated he was optimistic the Albanese government would come around after Defence Minister Richard Marles held a recent meeting with the bloc's High Representative in Singapore. European countries are preparing to spend billions of dollars to rebuild their armies in the wake of reduced support from the US and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Mr Visentin said a European security pact with Australia would be critical as Russia broadens its ambitions beyond Ukraine and China scales up its military posture in the Indo-Pacific. "I think that there are geopolitical tensions which are aiming at reversing what the international rules-based order is, regardless of the actors. And I think that we have to team up to defend that," he said. In a thinly veiled reference to US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs, Mr Visentin also expressed concerns that rising "isolationism and protectionism" will see an increase in unfair trading practices. Mr Visentin confirmed ongoing disputes over negotiations for a free trade agreement between Australia and the EU were unresolved but encouraged both governments to "team up and defend tree trade." "Nothing has changed in terms of content. The differences are still there. And are still difficult to resolve and to address," he said. "What has changed, of course, is the willingness and the readiness to try to strike a deal. We have seen an incredible change in the geopolitics and in the world of trade." Australia will push ahead with informal talks for a new security agreement with Europe which could involve future defence industry cooperation and intelligence sharing, the EU's top diplomat has confirmed. Gabriele Visentin, the European Union's ambassador to Australia, said both sides have agreed to informal talks about the prospect of a security pact after the EU floated the idea on the sidelines of Pope Leo XIV's inauguration in May. Mr Visentin said a potential deal would mirror similar agreements between the EU and other countries such as Japan and South Korea, which involve military exercises and other cooperation in areas of mutual interest. "It's not a military alliance. It's a partnership for co-operation on defence issues, including industrial things," the envoy told the National Press Club on Wednesday. "So there is no scope for an understanding in terms of transfer of troops or mutual help and mutual assistance." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appeared to initially downplay the idea of a security pact with the EU after noting Australia already had similar agreements in place with other European countries, including Germany. Mr Visentin indicated he was optimistic the Albanese government would come around after Defence Minister Richard Marles held a recent meeting with the bloc's High Representative in Singapore. European countries are preparing to spend billions of dollars to rebuild their armies in the wake of reduced support from the US and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Mr Visentin said a European security pact with Australia would be critical as Russia broadens its ambitions beyond Ukraine and China scales up its military posture in the Indo-Pacific. "I think that there are geopolitical tensions which are aiming at reversing what the international rules-based order is, regardless of the actors. And I think that we have to team up to defend that," he said. In a thinly veiled reference to US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs, Mr Visentin also expressed concerns that rising "isolationism and protectionism" will see an increase in unfair trading practices. Mr Visentin confirmed ongoing disputes over negotiations for a free trade agreement between Australia and the EU were unresolved but encouraged both governments to "team up and defend tree trade." "Nothing has changed in terms of content. The differences are still there. And are still difficult to resolve and to address," he said. "What has changed, of course, is the willingness and the readiness to try to strike a deal. We have seen an incredible change in the geopolitics and in the world of trade." Australia will push ahead with informal talks for a new security agreement with Europe which could involve future defence industry cooperation and intelligence sharing, the EU's top diplomat has confirmed. Gabriele Visentin, the European Union's ambassador to Australia, said both sides have agreed to informal talks about the prospect of a security pact after the EU floated the idea on the sidelines of Pope Leo XIV's inauguration in May. Mr Visentin said a potential deal would mirror similar agreements between the EU and other countries such as Japan and South Korea, which involve military exercises and other cooperation in areas of mutual interest. "It's not a military alliance. It's a partnership for co-operation on defence issues, including industrial things," the envoy told the National Press Club on Wednesday. "So there is no scope for an understanding in terms of transfer of troops or mutual help and mutual assistance." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appeared to initially downplay the idea of a security pact with the EU after noting Australia already had similar agreements in place with other European countries, including Germany. Mr Visentin indicated he was optimistic the Albanese government would come around after Defence Minister Richard Marles held a recent meeting with the bloc's High Representative in Singapore. European countries are preparing to spend billions of dollars to rebuild their armies in the wake of reduced support from the US and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Mr Visentin said a European security pact with Australia would be critical as Russia broadens its ambitions beyond Ukraine and China scales up its military posture in the Indo-Pacific. "I think that there are geopolitical tensions which are aiming at reversing what the international rules-based order is, regardless of the actors. And I think that we have to team up to defend that," he said. In a thinly veiled reference to US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs, Mr Visentin also expressed concerns that rising "isolationism and protectionism" will see an increase in unfair trading practices. Mr Visentin confirmed ongoing disputes over negotiations for a free trade agreement between Australia and the EU were unresolved but encouraged both governments to "team up and defend tree trade." "Nothing has changed in terms of content. The differences are still there. And are still difficult to resolve and to address," he said. "What has changed, of course, is the willingness and the readiness to try to strike a deal. We have seen an incredible change in the geopolitics and in the world of trade." Australia will push ahead with informal talks for a new security agreement with Europe which could involve future defence industry cooperation and intelligence sharing, the EU's top diplomat has confirmed. Gabriele Visentin, the European Union's ambassador to Australia, said both sides have agreed to informal talks about the prospect of a security pact after the EU floated the idea on the sidelines of Pope Leo XIV's inauguration in May. Mr Visentin said a potential deal would mirror similar agreements between the EU and other countries such as Japan and South Korea, which involve military exercises and other cooperation in areas of mutual interest. "It's not a military alliance. It's a partnership for co-operation on defence issues, including industrial things," the envoy told the National Press Club on Wednesday. "So there is no scope for an understanding in terms of transfer of troops or mutual help and mutual assistance." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appeared to initially downplay the idea of a security pact with the EU after noting Australia already had similar agreements in place with other European countries, including Germany. Mr Visentin indicated he was optimistic the Albanese government would come around after Defence Minister Richard Marles held a recent meeting with the bloc's High Representative in Singapore. European countries are preparing to spend billions of dollars to rebuild their armies in the wake of reduced support from the US and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Mr Visentin said a European security pact with Australia would be critical as Russia broadens its ambitions beyond Ukraine and China scales up its military posture in the Indo-Pacific. "I think that there are geopolitical tensions which are aiming at reversing what the international rules-based order is, regardless of the actors. And I think that we have to team up to defend that," he said. In a thinly veiled reference to US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs, Mr Visentin also expressed concerns that rising "isolationism and protectionism" will see an increase in unfair trading practices. Mr Visentin confirmed ongoing disputes over negotiations for a free trade agreement between Australia and the EU were unresolved but encouraged both governments to "team up and defend tree trade." "Nothing has changed in terms of content. The differences are still there. And are still difficult to resolve and to address," he said. "What has changed, of course, is the willingness and the readiness to try to strike a deal. We have seen an incredible change in the geopolitics and in the world of trade."
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
'Glass half-full' for EU security deal with Australia
The European Union's top diplomat in Australia is optimistic about a proposed security deal with Canberra, despite caution among senior Albanese government ministers. EU ambassador Gabriele Visentin said Australia had agreed to begin informal talks in Brussels on a security partnership. The move follows a meeting between Defence Minister Richard Marles and the bloc's High Representative for Security Policy Kaja Kallas at the recent Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore. Asked if there was an appetite for a deal in Canberra, Mr Visentin pointed to his glass of water and joked "this glass is half-full". Addressing the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, the ambassador said Australia and the EU must "team up and double down" on policies of open markets based on free and fair trade. "When dealing with security, freedom of navigation and overflight are fundamental principles which underpin regional security and stability and therefore guarantee that the Indo-Pacific region remains free and open," he said. It comes as Australia and the EU ramp up action for a free trade agreement, with negotiations first starting in 2018. Talks stalled over greater market access for Australia's agricultural products. The EU is Australia's third-largest trading partner, with 450 million people in the bloc, and is worth more than $150 billion a year. Discussions have resumed following the global uncertainty caused by US President Donald Trump's tariffs on exports to America, up-ending the free-trade order. Mr Visentin said the US president's actions had played a role in a strong partnership between the EU and Australia on trade. He said he could not predict when a deal might be struck. Trade Minister Don Farrell met with his European counterparts while in Paris for the OECD summit last week. He said he was confident a trade deal could be reached. The European Union's top diplomat in Australia is optimistic about a proposed security deal with Canberra, despite caution among senior Albanese government ministers. EU ambassador Gabriele Visentin said Australia had agreed to begin informal talks in Brussels on a security partnership. The move follows a meeting between Defence Minister Richard Marles and the bloc's High Representative for Security Policy Kaja Kallas at the recent Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore. Asked if there was an appetite for a deal in Canberra, Mr Visentin pointed to his glass of water and joked "this glass is half-full". Addressing the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, the ambassador said Australia and the EU must "team up and double down" on policies of open markets based on free and fair trade. "When dealing with security, freedom of navigation and overflight are fundamental principles which underpin regional security and stability and therefore guarantee that the Indo-Pacific region remains free and open," he said. It comes as Australia and the EU ramp up action for a free trade agreement, with negotiations first starting in 2018. Talks stalled over greater market access for Australia's agricultural products. The EU is Australia's third-largest trading partner, with 450 million people in the bloc, and is worth more than $150 billion a year. Discussions have resumed following the global uncertainty caused by US President Donald Trump's tariffs on exports to America, up-ending the free-trade order. Mr Visentin said the US president's actions had played a role in a strong partnership between the EU and Australia on trade. He said he could not predict when a deal might be struck. Trade Minister Don Farrell met with his European counterparts while in Paris for the OECD summit last week. He said he was confident a trade deal could be reached. The European Union's top diplomat in Australia is optimistic about a proposed security deal with Canberra, despite caution among senior Albanese government ministers. EU ambassador Gabriele Visentin said Australia had agreed to begin informal talks in Brussels on a security partnership. The move follows a meeting between Defence Minister Richard Marles and the bloc's High Representative for Security Policy Kaja Kallas at the recent Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore. Asked if there was an appetite for a deal in Canberra, Mr Visentin pointed to his glass of water and joked "this glass is half-full". Addressing the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, the ambassador said Australia and the EU must "team up and double down" on policies of open markets based on free and fair trade. "When dealing with security, freedom of navigation and overflight are fundamental principles which underpin regional security and stability and therefore guarantee that the Indo-Pacific region remains free and open," he said. It comes as Australia and the EU ramp up action for a free trade agreement, with negotiations first starting in 2018. Talks stalled over greater market access for Australia's agricultural products. The EU is Australia's third-largest trading partner, with 450 million people in the bloc, and is worth more than $150 billion a year. Discussions have resumed following the global uncertainty caused by US President Donald Trump's tariffs on exports to America, up-ending the free-trade order. Mr Visentin said the US president's actions had played a role in a strong partnership between the EU and Australia on trade. He said he could not predict when a deal might be struck. Trade Minister Don Farrell met with his European counterparts while in Paris for the OECD summit last week. He said he was confident a trade deal could be reached. The European Union's top diplomat in Australia is optimistic about a proposed security deal with Canberra, despite caution among senior Albanese government ministers. EU ambassador Gabriele Visentin said Australia had agreed to begin informal talks in Brussels on a security partnership. The move follows a meeting between Defence Minister Richard Marles and the bloc's High Representative for Security Policy Kaja Kallas at the recent Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore. Asked if there was an appetite for a deal in Canberra, Mr Visentin pointed to his glass of water and joked "this glass is half-full". Addressing the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, the ambassador said Australia and the EU must "team up and double down" on policies of open markets based on free and fair trade. "When dealing with security, freedom of navigation and overflight are fundamental principles which underpin regional security and stability and therefore guarantee that the Indo-Pacific region remains free and open," he said. It comes as Australia and the EU ramp up action for a free trade agreement, with negotiations first starting in 2018. Talks stalled over greater market access for Australia's agricultural products. The EU is Australia's third-largest trading partner, with 450 million people in the bloc, and is worth more than $150 billion a year. Discussions have resumed following the global uncertainty caused by US President Donald Trump's tariffs on exports to America, up-ending the free-trade order. Mr Visentin said the US president's actions had played a role in a strong partnership between the EU and Australia on trade. He said he could not predict when a deal might be struck. Trade Minister Don Farrell met with his European counterparts while in Paris for the OECD summit last week. He said he was confident a trade deal could be reached.
West Australian
2 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
European Union's top diplomat to Australia Gabriele Visentin says China's military scale up a ‘worrying sign'
European Union Ambassador Gabriele Visentin labelled China's military scale up as a 'worrying sign' of conflict in the Indo-Pacific and flagged the EU's interest in growing as 'a strong security actor'. In a National Press Club address on Wednesday, the EU's top diplomat said he had high hopes the EU could strike a 'bespoke' security deal with Australia, saying it must 'team up and double down'. 'We have seen maybe some worrying signs of military scaling up of China,' he said. '(There's) a clear link between the Chinese and the Russian visions of what the new international rules-based order should be.' His address came amid heightened concern over China's activity in the Indo-Pacific region and following US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's request that Australia increase its defence budget to 3.5 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP). The request had been conveyed to Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore late last month. Mr Visentin said security in the Indo-Pacific was 'completely intertwined' with Europe. 'For Europe, these security partnerships are key, because European security and security in the Indo-Pacific are intertwined. The two theatres are completely intertwined,' he said. 'The security for Europe depends also on what is happening in (the) Indo-Pacific, and vice versa. 'I think that there (are) geopolitical tensions which are aiming at reversing what the international rules-based order is, regardless of the actors. And I think that we have to team up to defend that.' Alongside a security deal with Australia, Mr Visentin said the EU was edging closer to agreements with Japan and Korea — expanding their ties in the region. He said the eight tailored security agreements with nations worldwide were 'mutually beneficial' as Europe couldn't defend peace alone and must co-operate with like-minded partners. The ambassador said Australia had agreed to begin informal talks in Brussels on a security partnership. 'The EU doesn't have an army, but the EU has 27 member states with 27 armies. 'I can tell you that, when you do a strategic partnership with the EU, you deal with 27 member states and 27 armies. 'So that's quite a powerful means.' He said the interest was driven by the trade reliance of the Indo-Pacific, saying 40 per cent of the global trade towards the EU came from the region. 'Therefore, we do have a vital interest that the Indo-Pacific remains free and open. 'It's a matter of our wealth and our prosperity. 'So, of course, we have to be aware of what a disruption of the status quo would mean for us.' However, he stopped short of weighing in on debate whether Australia should lift its defence spending. 'It's really up for the national authorities and your Treasurer to decide where to put your defence money,' he said. 'This strategic partnership, again, is bespoke — negotiated with each country on a case-by-case basis. Once we get there, we'll decide what to do together.' Despite remaining tight-lipped on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's refusal to be influenced by commentators on his defence budget, Mr Visentin spoke highly of nations lifting their spending. 'The need to invest in our security is ever more urgent,' he said. 'The fact that we are now providing up to 800 billion euro for defence would have been impossible just a few years ago. 'And the fact that member states are raising their defence spending to historic highs would also have been unthinkable.' He said the EU was shifting to a new focus of more technology-driven defence capabilities which would be made possible by a boost in critical minerals, of which Australia — in part — supports. He flagged artificial intelligence, cyberwarfare and drones as the future focus of defence industries in the EU. 'This will ramp up action, strengthen defence industry, and boost innovation, and help us fill urgent capability gaps in areas like air and missile defence, artillery systems, ammunitions, and missiles, drones and counter drone systems, military mobility, AI, cyber and electronic warfare, satellites, and critical infrastructure protection.' Mr Visentin said after it began as a 'peace project' between France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Italy, out of the ashes of World War II the EU was in the midst of a 'transformation' as war had returned to Europe's doorstep. 'Traditionally, we were not identified as a strong security actor. And certainly not in this part of the world. This was right and wrong at the same time,' he said. 'For three years now, war has returned to Europe's doorstep, with Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, which has shuttered the European security architecture and trampled on the foundations of international law, starting with sovereignty and territorial integrity. The ambassador used his address to call for an immediate 30-day ceasefire of that conflict. He said the war was a clash between the 'rule of law and the rule of the gun' and 'between democracy and autocracy'. Mr Visentin was also positive that the EU and Australia could thrash out the details of a potential new free trade agreement after they had long stalled. The trade talks collapsed in 2023 but have been reinstated in the wake of US President Donald Trump imposing tariffs. The EU represents a bloc of 450 million people with a GDP of $31 trillion. For Australia, the EU is our largest trading partner after China and Japan, and the second-largest source of foreign investment. Last year, our bilateral trade was worth $160 billion. Mr Visentin's optimism comes after a breakthrough meeting between Australia's Trade Minister and his EU counterpart in Paris. Mr Visentin said the principles of openness and co-operation were 'nowadays being challenged' but he was buoyed both sides wanted to see if they could try again. 'We have started talking again, and there have been meetings at the political level and also at the head negotiators' level. So we will see. I cannot predict,' he said. Mr Visentin said despite keen interest by both parties, the sticking points haven't budged in the time since negotiations were last abandoned. He said there the geopolitical environment had since changed, with the uncertainty with the Trump administration and a warming of EU-Australian relations. One of which includes a thawing with member state France after a rift over submarines following Australia's move to tear up an existing contract in favour of the AUKUS agreement. He said any possible lingering had faded out of the EU's calculations. 'There has been a change in the bilateral relations — a dramatic change in the bilateral relations,' he said. 'It's not for me to comment on a member state's relation with a third state. But what I could witness from the European side — there's been a clear change in what were the bilateral relations with France. 'I think that the AUKUS page has been turned, as far as the European Union is concerned.'
West Australian
2 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
EU ambassador warns of ‘worrying signs' from China
China is showing 'worrying signs' of deeper alignment with Russia's anti-West agenda, the EU's top diplomat in Australia has warned. The caution has come as Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin continue to step up co-operation against a backdrop of the raging war in Ukraine and simmering tensions in the Indo-Pacific. Ambassador Gabriele Visentin said on Wednesday what happens in Australia's neck of the woods is 'completely intertwined' with what happens in Europe. 'I cannot possibly comment on the choice that the Australian government has on its defence policies,' the EU's envoy told the National Press Club. 'What I can say is that there is … a clear link between the Chinese and the Russian visions of what the new international rules-based order should be. 'We have seen maybe some worrying signs of military scaling up of China.' Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said last week said China's rapidly growing nuclear arsenal is driving 'security anxiety' in Australia. As of mid-2024, China's operational nuclear warheads exceeded 600, according to the US Department of Defence. That was nearly triple what the country was estimated to have in 2020. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also earlier this month warned of an 'imminent' threat from China, saying Beijing could invade the democratically self-governing island of Taiwan as early as 2027. Such a move would deal a major blow to global supply of semiconductors – crucial components in modern tech – and massively disrupt vital trade routes. 'Let me be clear, any attempt by Communist China to conquer Taiwan by force would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world,' Mr Hegseth told the Shangri La Dialogue. 'There's no reason to sugar-coat it. The threat China poses is real and it could be imminent. 'We hope not but certainly could be.' Mr Hegseth also called on Australia to boost defence spending in a meeting with Mr Marles, who holds the defence portfolio, on the sidelines of the conference. Asked how the EU might intervene in the event of a significant escalation in the Indo-Pacific, Mr Visentin was hesitant to outline any measures but said Europe had a 'vital interest' in keeping the region 'free'. 'I definitely think that the two theatres are completely intertwined,' he said. 'Forty per cent of the global trade towards the EU comes from the Indo-Pacific. 'Therefore, we do have a vital interest that the Indo-Pacific remains free and open. 'It's a matter of our wealth and our prosperity. 'So, of course we have to be aware of what a disruption of the status quo would mean for us as well.' The bloc deployed warships to the Red Sea in early 2024 to protect cargo ships from attacks by Islamist militants in Yemen emboldened by the conflict in Gaza. Mr Visentin also expanded on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's comments last month saying she wanted a deeper 'strategic partnership' with Australia. 'It's not a military alliance,' he said. 'It's a partnership for co-operation on defence issues, including industrial things.' He added 'there is no scope for an understanding in terms of transfer of troops or mutual help and mutual assistance', unlike NATO, which guarantees blanket mutual defence if a member state is attacked.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australia news LIVE: Curfew imposed on LA as Trump calls protesters ‘animals'; Israeli ministers sanctioned by Australia, US allies
Latest posts Latest posts 2.50pm The US and China thrashed out their trade fight for 20 hours. Here's what they agreed to By Lisa Visentin US officials said Chinese restrictions on the export of critical rare earth minerals and magnets had been resolved under a preliminary deal to resurrect a fragile trade truce struck in Geneva last month. Emerging from two days of intense discussions in London, US and Chinese negotiators said they had reached a new framework committing to the original trade deal struck on May 12, which almost unravelled in a dispute over China's export curbs on rare earths and US controls on technology sales. The new agreement still needs to be signed off by both US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both sides offered few concrete details about what had been brokered over almost 20 hours of discussions. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the framework would put 'meat on the bones' of the original deal, and that the dispute over rare earths would be resolved as a 'fundamental' part of the new agreement. 2.30pm EU top diplomat calls for end of 'human suffering' in Palestine By Hannah Hammoud European Union ambassador to Australia Gabriele Visentin reaffirmed the EU's long-standing support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during an address at the National Press Club today. Responding to questions about Australia's recent sanctions and travel bans on Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich – imposed over accusations of their incitement of extremist violence and serious abuses against Palestinians – Visentin said it was important that Palestinians were afforded a 'dignified life'. 'Any effort leading to a relief of the human suffering of the Palestinian population is welcome,' Visentin said. Loading 'The EU position is that humanitarian aid should be allowed in, and help to overcome the current dire situation of the Palestinian population has to be solved.' Visentin went on to say the EU continues to work on, and 'insist upon' a long-term and lasting two-state solution. 'We have to consider the absolute right of Israel not only to exist, but to defend itself from terrorism, but we also have to guarantee a dignified life to the Palestinians,' he said.
