Maria Castillo

#EUIndoPacific Strategy #EUIPMF

The #EU and #Australia have concluded the negotiations on a Free #Trade Agreement (#FTA), signed a #Security and "#Defence Partnership (#SDP), and intend to commence negotiations on Australia joining @HorizonEU #EUIndoPacific Strategy #EUIPMF Here some the facts and figures ⬇️

To my fellow Europeans.

A new chapter in 🇪🇺🇦🇺 relations. The EU and Australia have concluded a Free Trade Agreement. It is expected to save EU exporters €1 billion in tariffs. We’re also strengthening cooperation on raw materials, security and defence, and innovation. More: link.europa.eu/ytWPdQ

The Security and Defence Partnership with Australia, signed by HR/VP @kajakallas, recognises that Europe and the Indo-Pacific face common threats. The Partnership deepens existing areas of cooperation on security and defence and initiates new ones. Read more: link.europa.eu/NQkqfB

After almost a decade of work – we can say: we did it. We have concluded the EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement. And it is such a win for both sides ↓ twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…

We have a deal 🇪🇺🇦🇺 Read more: link.europa.eu/8cFfNW #EUTrade #Australia #TradeDeal

Australia and Europe may be oceans apart, but our security is inseparable. Signing this new Security and Defence Partnership with @SenatorWong and @RichardMarlesMP is a strategic investment in Europe’s and Australia’s joint security. Together, we will hold joint exercises, share information, build resilience against cyber and hybrid threats, and deepen cooperation from crisis response to maritime security.

Australia is one of the world’s most important producers of critical raw material. In contrast, Europe is one of the world’s major users. So today, we agreed on four major projects, covering production of rare earths, lithium, and tungsten. And we also agreed to launch negotiations on Australia’s accession to Horizon, Europe’s flagship innovation programme!

Dear @AlboMP thank you for your warm welcome to Canberra today. Europe and Australia share the same vision of the world – even though worlds apart. We believe in the power of openness and partnership. We believe that prosperity is driven by free and fair trade. We believe that peace is built on rules, and that our security is interconnected. And even though we live in different hemispheres, we are ready to join forces to defend them. In a time of global turbulence, I’m here to take our partnership to the next level. We need to. And we want to.

On 18 March, HR/VP @kajakallas and Icelandic Foreign Minister @thorgkatrin signed the EU-Iceland Security and Defence Partnership Security threats do not stop at borders. We will further cooperate on Ukraine and the Arctic. We will work together on maritime security, cyber and hybrid threats. Watch HR/VP Kaja Kallas remarks here:

Stability and rules-based international order, a shared vision for Europe and Asia-Pacific. Excellent exchanges between #ASIAPAC MD Erik Kurzweil and @MofaJapan_enDG Shingo Miyamoto and DG Masaaki Kanai on how to deliver on this together. #EUJapan #EUIndoPacific #EUJapan #IPMF

🇪🇺🇰🇷 The EU and the Republic of Korea held the 22nd EU–ROK Joint Committee on March 18, co-chaired by Erik Kurzweil, Managing Director for Asia-Pacific at the EEAS, and Park Jong Han, Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs of the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The EU-#Japan Strategic Partnership: not just words. Today's Joint Committee co-chaired by #ASIAPAC MD Erik Kurzweil and @MofaJapan_en DG Katsuro Kitagawa showed just how much ground we're covering - security & defence, resilience, multilateralism. #EUJapan #EUIndoPacific #IPMF

Moderating today’s exchange with @eucopresident António Costa at the EU Ambassadors Conference 2026, three clear messages stood out: defend the rules-based international order, reinforce multilateral cooperation, and expand the EU’s global partnerships.

We see a new world order characterized by competition and coercive power politics, featuring military powers, who aim to establish spheres of influence. How we respond to this moment will define us. Our degree of success depends on how we deliver under our priorities and rally international support. Extract of my speech at our EU Ambassadors Conference ↓

Keynote speech of @EU_Commission President @vonderleyen at the EU Ambassadors conference

Keynote speech of HR/VP @kajakallas at the EU Ambassadors conference

On Monday 9 March, 145 EU Ambassadors will gather in Brussels for the week-long EU Ambassadors Conference. This year’s theme is “Advancing EU interests at a turning point”. Amid major geopolitical shifts, acting with unity is more important than ever. Read more: link.europa.eu/PxxTYm

The developments in Iran are greatly concerning. We remain in close contact with our partners in the region. We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to safeguarding regional security and stability. Ensuring nuclear safety and preventing any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime is of critical importance. The European Union has adopted extensive sanctions in response to the actions of Iran’s murderous regime and the Revolutionary Guards and has consistently promoted diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing the nuclear and ballistic programmes through a negotiated solution. In close coordination with EU Member States, we will take all necessary steps to ensure that EU citizens in the region can count on our full support. We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law.