‘Important step’: hope for progress on stalled EU deal

The long-awaited free trade agreement between Australia and the EU is showing serious signs of progress, the trade minister said, as the European bloc showed talks were gaining momentum.

Don Farrell has held talks with EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič about advancing the elusive deal after talks twice previously fell at the final hurdle.

Despite previous disputes over sheep and beef exports, Senator Farrell said discussions in Australia about the deal showed optimism about reaching a deal.

“This was (commissioner Šefčovič’s) second visit to the region in a month and I took it as a very positive sign that he was serious about moving (the agreement) forward,” he told reporters in Melbourne on Friday.

“Is the time frame too ambitious? Well, we’ll see.

“We are committed to reaching an agreement and working as quickly as we can to get there. This will be an important step forward.”

The progress in negotiations coincides with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese preparing to meet EU President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg.

Australia has long sought to secure better access to European markets for local beef producers, and EU negotiators have so far refused to meet the demand.

Senator Farrell said the free trade agreement would give Australian exporters greater access to global markets of more than 450 million people.

“This is the only deal that has gone unnoticed,” he said.

“We believe in free and fair trade. We are ready to put our money where our mouth is and develop more and more free trade agreements.”

Mr Šefčovič told reporters on Friday that negotiations for a free trade agreement were gaining momentum.

Despite years of difficult talks, Mr Šefčovič said the talks and exchanges were constructive and left him optimistic.

He believes the final stages of negotiations will take place early next year.

“This can be achieved,” Mr. Šefčovič said.

“We know they are difficult, but I believe we have learned from the past so we can keep an open mind about how to solve them.

“I think what’s clearly needed will be compromise from both sides.”

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