European Union: European Union and Australia announced opening of negotiations on Security and Defence Partnership

On 17 June 2025, the European Council President and the European Commission President, together with the Prime Minister of Australia, agreed to launch negotiations for a Security and Defence Partnership at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Alberta, Canada. The proposed partnership aims to create a framework for future cooperation in areas such as the defence industry, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism. It seeks to enhance collaboration on global security challenges and support joint defence procurement initiatives. The partnership will not involve any military deployment commitments and will separate from the negotiations on the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement.