The FTA agreement will support the sustainable growth and investments that will open new commercial opportunities, according to a joint statement by the heads of the European Council and the European Commission Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker and Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull.
BRUSSELS, 15 Nov. The EU and Australia at a meeting on the sidelines of G20 summit in Turkey decided to begin work to launch negotiations on creating a free trade zone and the establishment in 2016 of the leaders forum of the EU-Australia, said in a joint statement by the heads of the European Council and the European Commission Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker and Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull.
“We agreed to begin work to launch negotiations on the free trade agreement. We believe that the free trade agreement will support sustainable growth and investment will open up new business opportunities and will contribute to the innovation and employment in Australia and the EU,” said the leaders.
They noted that “negotiations to determine the scope and approach to the negotiations should begin as soon as possible”. “In parallel, we have agreed to take steps to obtain required permissions to conduct negotiations”, — said in a communique.
The leaders also announced the establishment in 2016 of the leaders forum of the EU — Australia, “which will be a common platform for European and Australian leaders to prepare the future in relations between the EU and Australia”.
