Visit to Australia by His Excellency Mr José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission (13/10/2011)

Signature of a new agreement between Australia and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) to spur a further deepening of cooperation in the areas of nuclear safeguards, security and safety: Julia Gillard, Australian Prime Minister, on the right, and José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission

"The European Union sees Australia a natural, solid and essential global partner."

In the keynote address to the Australia National University, President Barroso spoke about the shared futures of Europe and Australia in the 21st century. He noted that "Australia shows it is possible to combine economic reform with strong social protections and progress," and stressed that "the European Union welcomes the Australian Government's efforts to tackle the carbon issue, and to develop a policy that will over time link to our own.”

In a statement following his meeting with Australian Prime Minister Gillard, President Barroso emphasised the new phase of closer cooperation between Australia and the European Union: "We share a common heritage, core interests and core values: democracy and human rights, but also openness, tolerance and global responsibility." The two leaders agreed to work towards a new, ambitious Framework Agreement that will put relations on a new footing and also signed a new agreement in the field of nuclear safety.