European Union seeks defence pact with Australia
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- 1 day ago
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As global tensions heat up, the European Union is looking to strengthen its defence ties — and it’s got Australia in its sights.
In a recent meeting in Rome, the EU’s top official, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, floated the idea of a deeper security and defence partnership with Australia to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The two leaders met following the inaugural mass for Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, and while it wasn’t exactly your typical military setting, the conversation quickly turned serious.
“The geopolitical tensions have massively increased,” von der Leyen said, referencing everything from conflicts in Europe to global uncertainty around future US commitments to NATO. “The good thing is, Australia and Europe are reliable partners. We are predictable. We share the same values.”
She pointed out that the EU — made up of 25 nations and 449 million people — has already inked defence pacts with Japan and South Korea, and is about to do the same with the UK.
“We would be very pleased if we could develop such a security and defence partnership [with Australia] too, just to broaden the strategic partnership,” von der Leyen said.
In other words: let’s team up — not just on trade, but also on defence.
Albanese didn’t exactly jump at the offer, but he didn’t shut it down either.
“We said that we were certainly interested in any further engagement of support, but it's very early stages at this point,” he said, keeping the door open to future talks.
The timing of this conversation is no coincidence. With Europe reassessing its defence strategy in the wake of former US President Donald Trump’s recent comments suggesting the US might not defend Europe if attacked, the EU is looking to diversify its security alliances — and Australia is seen as a stable, like-minded partner.
Albanese was also busy on other fronts during his Rome visit. He met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reaffirmed Australia’s support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia — including the delivery of Abrams tanks.
It’s clear that Australia’s role on the global stage is expanding, and whether it’s with tanks, trade, or new defence pacts, the Albanese government may soon be juggling more than just domestic affairs.
More updates to come on AusNewsLanka.
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