Like-minded partners in the Asia-Pacific region? The EU’s expanding relationship with Australia

Australia has historically been perceived as a state of limited direct relevance to European Union (EU) interests. This perception was influenced to a significant extent by disagreement over the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the obvious geographical distance that exists between the EU and Australia. Beginning with the 1990s, this article will argue, however, that the EU’s decision to make a conscious effort to increase engagement with the Asia-Pacific region during this period has seen Australia become an international partner of increased relevance. During the 1990s, the EU slowly became more cognisant of the extent to which it had a commonality of values and interests with Australia in the Asia-Pacific region. This recognition facilitated increased cooperation on regional issues over subsequent decades on issues such as trade, security, development assistance and the promotion of regional integration. This article draws on interviews with EU and Australian officials to demonstrate the extent to which close cooperation on Asia-Pacific issues is taking place. Moreover, it will also argue that the extent of shared interests and cooperation with respect to the Asia-Pacific region has been reflected in the signing of a Partnership Framework agreement in 2008 and the current negotiations for a Framework Agreement. These agreements indicate how a shared recognition of norms and values in the Asia-Pacific region has resulted in Australia becoming an increasingly important partner of the EU. Copyright Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015