Joint media release by Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and EU's High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission Federica Mogherini

Todaywe held wide-ranging discussions on global developments and agreed to a numberof concrete measures to strengthen the important EU-Australia partnership.

TheEU and Australia share a common view on the importance of strengthening theinternational rules-based order. We are working closely together in response tochallenges to that order.

We discussed the progress of the Australia-EUFramework Agreement, which we signed in August 2017, and plans for theinaugural joint committee this year. The Framework will enhance dialogue andcooperation on issues such as terrorism, non-proliferation, the environment andenergy, human rights, migration, trade, education and science, research andinnovation.

We welcomed the launch of negotiations for acomprehensive and ambitious EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement and thesuccessful conclusion of the first round of negotiations. We look forward to amutually beneficial outcome that underscores our shared commitment torules-based trade.

Minister Bishop announced that Australia willdeploy civilian expertise to EU-led crisis response and capacity building missionsin third countries of common interest, under the EU's Common Security andDefence Policy. This will deepen cooperation with the EU on shared work tounderpin global security.

Given the shared interest in enhancing resiliencein the face of cyber threats, we committed to strengthening cooperation oncyber issues, including cooperation when it comes to promoting responsibleState behaviour in cyberspace and deterring and responding to malicious cyberactivities.

We agreed on the importance of Australia and the EUcontinuing to work closely together to promote peace and prosperity in Asia,including through the ASEAN Regional Forum and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).The EU will host the next ASEM Summit in Brussels in October. Minister Bishopwelcomed the EU's increasing engagement with ASEAN, including on regionalsecurity challenges.

We discussed improvements in information sharingthrough the ongoing Australia-EU Counter-Terrorism Dialogue. HighRepresentative Mogherini praised Australia's extensive information sharing withEuropol concerning serious transnational and organised crime, including childprotection, cybercrime and terrorism.

We discussed ongoing work to counter terrorism andviolent extremism, including the persistent threat from foreign terroristfighters. We agreed to continue deepening our cooperation through the GlobalCoalition to Defeat Daesh and the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum.

We agreed to continue strengthening coordinationand collaboration in the Pacific, including through development cooperation.Minister Bishop emphasised that the EU's presence and development programs inthe region are significantly improving the quality of peoples' lives throughsustainable social and economic development.

We discussed the significance of Australia'scontribution to the Pacific. High Representative Mogherini welcomed Australia'scontribution to the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women andGirls, an important regional program.

Werecognised the extensive cooperation and dialogue between Australia and the EUand its Member States on climate change, and progress towards the launch of aStrategic Partnership on Implementing the Paris Agreement and the strongongoing engagement on the environment through existing dialogues.