Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehan (Photo: AP) |
The 12th round of negotiations scheduled for October 12 have been postponed for one month. Tehan said the EU has changed the schedule without an explanation. He indicated that he plans to meet EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis next week to discuss the new date for negotiations.
Both sides will continue preparing for next round of negotiations and working towards concluding a free trade agreement that is in the interests of both Australia and the EU, Tehan said, adding that the agreement will strengthen bilateral ties which have been built on shared commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and economic openness.