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

(2026/2034(INI))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to the Treaty on European Union, in particular Article 37 thereof,

–having regard to the Framework Agreement of 7 August 2017 between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Australia, of the other part1,

–having regard to the joint statement by the President of the European Commission and the Prime Minister of Australia of 24 March 2026 on the conclusion of negotiations on the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement,

–having regard to the EU-Australia Security and Defence Partnership of 18 March 2026,

–having regard to Council Decision (EU) 2026/222 of 20 January 2026 authorising the opening of negotiations on behalf of the European Union for the conclusion of an agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and the Commonwealth of Australia, of the other part, on the participation of the Commonwealth of Australia in Union programmes and the association of the Commonwealth of Australia to Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027)2,

–having regard to the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Union and Australia of 28 May 2024 on a strategic partnership on sustainable critical and strategic minerals,

–having regard to the Agreement between Australia and the European Union of 13 January 2010 on the security of classified information3,

–having regard to the Agreement of 23 February 1994 relating to scientific and technical cooperation between the European Community and Australia4,

–having regard to its resolution of 21 January 2026 on the implementation of the common foreign and security policy – annual report 20255,

–having regard to its resolution of 21 January 2026 on the implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 20256,

–having regard to its resolution of 7 June 2022 on the EU and the security challenges in the Indo-Pacific7,

–having regard to its resolution of 5 July 2022 on the Indo-Pacific strategy in the area of trade and investment8,

–having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,

–having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (A10-0000/2026),

A.whereas current geopolitical shifts underscore the need for the EU to strengthen partnerships with like-minded democracies;

B.whereas the Indo-Pacific is a key arena of strategic competition, trade and innovation, making EU engagement with like-minded partners in the region a strategic priority;

C.whereas the EU and Australia are bound by strong political, economic and cultural ties, and a shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law and human rights;

D.whereas the EU-Australia Security and Defence Partnership can significantly deepen cooperation in areas such as cybersecurity, space security, advanced defence technologies and countering foreign malign influence;

E.whereas the EU is Australia’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest foreign investor;

F.whereas European economic security depends on reliable access to critical raw materials and green energy technologies; whereas Australia is the world’s largest producer of lithium;

EU-Australia partnership

1.Highlights that Australia is the EU’s key like-minded partner in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region; reiterates the region’s geostrategic importance for global trade and the freedom of navigation;

2.Notes the deep political, economic, historical, cultural and people-to-people ties between the EU and Australia; commends the strong partnership based on shared democratic values, multilateralism, international law and human rights;

3.Acknowledges Australia’s concept of a ‘community of the West’ of like-minded democratic nations committed to the rules-based international order, open markets and international cooperation; underlines the importance of strengthening trade, investment, and technological and industrial ties to boost resilience, diversify supply chains, reduce excessive dependencies on China in strategic sectors, and advance shared de-risking objectives;

4.Welcomes the recent deepening of EU-Australia relations, which elevates cooperation on security, defence, trade and investment;

Cooperation on foreign and security policy

5.Welcomes cooperation in multilateral forums, including the UN, the G20, the World Trade Organization and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and Australia’s engagement with the G7; calls for coordinated efforts to reform international organisations, such as the UN and the World Trade Organization;

6.Highly values Australia’s significant contributions to global peacekeeping and naval operations, including through Operation Prosperity Guardian; expresses its appreciation for Australia’s sacrifices in the World Wars, which contributed to restoring peace, democracy and freedom in Europe;

7.Highlights the alignment between the EU’s foreign policy priorities and Australia’s ‘4Rs’ priorities (Region, Relationships, Rules, Resilience), particularly regarding stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, diversifying relationships, upholding a rules-based international order and strengthening resilience;

8.Draws attention to Australia’s efforts to bolster cooperation with other like-minded middle powers in response to rising geopolitical tensions, in coordination with the United States as a strategic ally;

9.Commends Australia’s steadfast diplomatic and military support for Ukraine, including through the Coalition of the Willing and by providing training to Ukrainian forces; highly appreciates Australia’s humanitarian assistance for Ukraine and its support for Ukrainian refugees, as well as its imposition of sanctions and other efforts to hold Russia accountable for its illegal invasion;

10.Remains deeply concerned by China’s rapid military build-up and assertive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific, including naval activities near Australia; condemns China’s past economic coercion against Australian exports; notes the recent stabilisation of trade relations between the two countries;

Cooperation on security and defence policy

11.Reiterates that Australia’s geographical position and essential role in regional security make it a central actor in safeguarding stability in the Indo-Pacific; notes its new national defence strategy aimed at deterring potential adversaries and doubling investment in integrated air and missile defence; welcomes its recognition of closer EU cooperation on shared security challenges;

12.Welcomes the EU-Australia Security and Defence Partnership as a framework for enhancing cooperation on shared security challenges; notes that it reflects a growing recognition of the interdependence between the Indo-Pacific and Europe in the area of security;

13.Underlines the importance of enhancing maritime security cooperation, including through joint naval exercises to protect critical maritime infrastructure and through Australia’s participation in EU-led maritime missions;

14.Highlights the potential for deeper cooperation on hybrid threats, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, online radicalisation and defence industry cooperation, including on advanced technologies such as anti-drone systems;

15.Calls for the swift modernisation of the EU-Australia agreement on the security of classified information;

16.Recognises the strategic value of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, AUKUS and the Five Eyes alliance as key elements of the Indo-Pacific security architecture;

Cooperation in the Pacific region

17.Highlights the geostrategic importance of Pacific island countries, their multilateral engagement and their support for Ukraine; welcomes their efforts to de-flag vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet; calls for the EU to collaborate with Australia and the Pacific Islands Forum on connectivity, sustainable development, climate action and regional security amid great power competition;

18.Reiterates the need for stronger diplomatic engagement in the region by the EU and its Member States; recommends that the EU work closely with Australia to provide training for young Pacific island diplomats and capacity-building for their diplomatic services;

Cooperation on economic security

19.Welcomes the conclusion of negotiations on the EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a landmark achievement reflecting commitment to the rules-based international order;

20.Highlight the FTA’s chapter on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and stresses the importance of clearly communicating the FTA’s benefits to SMEs; welcomes SME Contact Points under the FTA and encourages business cooperation, including via the Enterprise Europe Network;

21.Notes that the FTA will liberalise investment flows, support trade diversification and strengthen supply chain security for critical raw materials, and thus enhance economic resilience;

22.Highlights the importance of resilient and reliable critical supply chains for advanced technologies and encourages the full use of the EU-Australia strategic partnership on Strategic and Critical Minerals;

23.Welcomes the declaration of intent between the European Investment Bank and Australia to deepen cooperation on and investment in critical raw materials projects;

Cooperation on the digital and green transitions

24.Highlights the importance of a regular EU-Australia digital dialogue, including on platform oversight and the protection of minors online;

25.Welcomes the EU-Australia cooperation on climate and environmental challenges and the shared goal of climate neutrality by 2050; recognises Australia’s leading role as COP31 President of Negotiations;

Cooperation in research, education and people-to-people ties

26.Highly values 30 years of EU-Australia scientific cooperation; welcomes the conclusion of negotiations for Australia’s association to the Horizon Europe programme, with strong potential for collaboration on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, maritime research, clean technologies, sustainable energy, agriculture and mining research, and dual use capabilities in space and security;

27.Supports expanding higher education and vocational exchange programmes and mobility schemes for young professionals and researchers;

28.Welcomes the FTA provisions facilitating mobility in innovative sectors and facilitating the recognition of professional qualifications;

29.Emphasises the importance of people-to-people ties and of the European diaspora in Australia as a driver of bilateral relations;

30.Recognises Australia’s cultural diversity, including its Indigenous heritage; recognises Australia’s ongoing reconciliation efforts;

Governance of the EU-Australia partnership

31.Underlines the value of regular EU-Australia high-level engagements; calls for bilateral relations to be elevated to the level of a strategic partnership, including by institutionalising regular summits at leaders’ level;

32.Highlights the importance of a structured parliamentary dialogue between the European Parliament and the Parliament of Australia as a key component of the partnership; advocates for frequent exchanges on key issues of mutual interest;

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33.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security and the Government and Parliament of Australia.