European Union
Statement summary
Von der Leyen welcomes the conclusion of negotiations on a free trade agreement
Von der Leyen welcomes the conclusion of a free trade agreement and welcomes progress toward Australia's association with Horizon Europe.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese met on 21 September in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. Presidents von der Leyen and Costa and Prime Minister Albanese reviewed the progress made in deepening cooperation across many fields since President von der Leyen's visit to Australia in March 2026: They welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on an a comprehensive, ambitious, balanced and commercially meaningful Free Trade Agreement and looked forward to its signature as soon as possible. They welcomed the progress made towards Australia's association to the Horizon Europe Programme for the year 2027. They reflected on implementation of the EU-Australia Security and Defence Partnership, noting enhanced dialogue and cooperation on hybrid and...