Trade Minister Don Farrell says Australia’s discussion around ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement with the European Union was “sounding good”.
Mr Farrell hinted there could be a breakthrough free trade pact while speaking on Sky News on Monday ahead of his meeting with EU ambassador to Australia Gabriele Visentin tomorrow.
The positive indicator comes after Mr Albanese met with European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen on the sideline of Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration during his whirlwind two-and-a-half day visit.
“I’ve subsequently had a meeting with the EU ambassador and reaffirmed our commitment and heard from him (with) his commitment,” he said.
When asked how it was unfolding, Mr Farrell responded “sounding good, yep”.
Mr Albanese’s meeting in the Vatican with the EU chief marked his sixth since he became PM in May 2022.
Mr Albanese pushed for renewed momentum on a stalled Australia–EU free trade agreement — which broke down in 2023.
Agricultural access for Australian farmers and producers and the protection of product names like feta and prosecco still key sticking points.
“I think both Australia and Europe now realize that there’s a priority and an imperative to get a free trade agreement,” Mr Farrell said, hinting that compromises need to be made.
“Those geographical indicators are hard issues.
“On the one hand, the Europeans say, well, you’re using all of our names.
“On the other hand, what I say to them is, look after World War II a whole lot of Europeans came to Australia. They bought their families, they bought their culture.
“They bought their food and wine. And for them, the link with Europe is not an economic link. It’s a way that they keep in contact with their European roots.”