ABIE Statement on the EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement

Australian Business in Europe (ABIE)  is a network of business organisations supporting the advancement of trade in goods and services, and investment, between Australia and Europe. Organisations participating in the ABIE network include businesses, business people and other supporters of the economic relationship all over Europe who work together to promote stronger commercial ties between individual countries in Europe with Australia.

In total trade and investment, Europe remains Australia’s largest economic partner, and Australia is for Europe a strong economic and like-minded partner, strategically located and deeply connected within the fastest growing economic region in the world. Australia and Europe share fundamental values and a common commitment to open, transparent and well-regulated markets, and of high levels of social and environmental protection.

A comprehensive and ambitious Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union (EU) and Australia is an essential and currently-missing part of the bilateral economic framework. Europe and Australia interests are highly complementary, and an FTA which addresses market access issues, regulatory barriers and costs will provide better conditions for the business relationship to achieve its full potential. ABIE network organisations are committed to supporting an FTA to secure the common interests and opportunities for European and Australian business.