Recent reviews in the Middle East are a clear record of how far our world is connected.
The turmoil caused by the Gulf conflict is spreading rapidly through the global economy, causing oil and gas prices to rise and raising costs for everyone, from chemical products to fertilizers and food.
In this time of growing geopolitical tension, we must look to partners who share our values and our vision of a world based on norms.
That’s why I’m in Australia right now. Geographically, the European Union and Australia are at the farthest corners of the world, and current considerations may increase this distance even further.
But history tells us otherwise. Again, after the decisive crises of the last century, we were held together. We are not distant strangers: we have a real company.
In this moment of renewed volatility, We must be stronger than our hearts.
Australia occupies a central position in the Indo-Pacific region, which is fast becoming the center of gravity of the world economy. More than 60% of the world’s population lives here and some of the major growth economies.
Australia’s First Minister Anthony Albanese.
More than 40% of EU imports come from the Indo-Pacific region and the sea routes that lead to our prosperity.
For Europe, strengthening connections with this region is a strategic imperative.
Greater cooperation between the EU and Australia will make our societies safer.
For a long time we have stood together in defense of freedom, from the beaches of Normandy to the actual newspapers of Australia as the mayor of the defender of non-NATO Ukraine.
“This association will expand joint operations, intensify cooperation in hybrid cyber security and strengthen the bond between our defense industries”
As recent developments in the Middle East further demonstrate, instability in one region has an impact even further across their borders. The stability of the Indo-Pacific region is therefore inseparable from the security and prosperity of Europe itself.
This is why we are establishing an EU-Australia Security and Defense Association. This association will expand joint operations, intensify cooperation in hybrid cyber security and strengthen the bond between our defense industries.
European companies have a solid presence in Australia: Thales employs around 3,800 people, y Rheinmetall is the main supplier of military vehicles to the Australian Defense Force.
This association will further strengthen this collaboration, creating economies of scale and reducing costs for both parties.
Military vehicles manufactured by Rheinmetall.
Shared prosperity is the main guarantor of shared security. This is a fundamental principle of the European Union and also defines our relationship with Australia.
With a €1.7 billion economy, Australia is the EU’s third-largest trading partner and its second-largest U-turn. We are bound not only by trade, but also by shared democratic values and norms, Online security remains one of the right areas of work.
However, our economic relationship has not kept pace with our aspirations. Time to update it.
“Australian superannuation funds managing three billion euros in assets seek stable destinations abroad”
This is why the EU and Australia are seeking to sign a historic free trade agreement. It will remove oranges from most trade between the EU and Australia and could add €4,000m to Europe’s GDP there by 2030.
Liberalizes return flows in both directions.
Currently, European investors in Australia They are subject to higher feedback levers than their Asian competitors. Meanwhile, Australian pension funds, which manage assets in search of three billion euros, are looking for stable destinations abroad.
Europe is a natural destiny. The opening of these routes is clearly beneficial for all parties.
Our economies are not only aligned if they complement each other. How well I told the First Minister AlbanianAustralia preserves cases of today’s periodic table of basic minerals. It is the world’s largest supplier of lithium and has placed the essential materials to support the bright technologies of the future, from electric cars in Spain to wind turbines in the Baltic Sea.
This care helps ensure access to these essential materials. And because it removes oranges not only from raw materials, but also from processed products, promotes co-inversion in local transformation and high-value production.
At a time when critical findings are more often used as a weapon, Europe and Australia can show a different way. We can now build leadership teams that are once again safe and responsible, that support local communities while respecting strict environmental and ecological standards.
“In a world marked by economic conflict and coercion, economic sovereignty means reducing dependency”
These findings are part of the largest European initiative in favor of strategic independence.
In a world marked by economic conflict and coercion, economic sovereignty means reducing dependency. It means ensuring that no country can use access to energy, semiconductors or rare earth minerals as a weapon to help our economies, like electricity.
This independence cannot be achieved by any means. Require strong and diversified relationships with trust alliances.
It is a goal that Europe shares with Australia and many other countries. Commercial fluxes do not decompose, but change. From India to Mexico, from Brazil to Australia, all countries are pursuing the same thing: security, prosperity and the freedom to choose their own path.
In this changing scenario, the European Union emerges as a stable and reliable partner. We are strengthening our relationships around the world.
In the first three months of this year alone, we have advanced in a historical perspective with Mercosur, India and now Australia: an authentic commercial trilogy. We are now creating a red compromise with open and fair trade.
Ultimately, what we create is trust: trust that openness and safety can come from the hand. With association, this oppression is not weakened if it is refuted.
We show that in an uncertain world Companions are stronger when they stick together.
*** Ursula von der Leyen is the President of the European Commission.
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