During a visit to Australia, PES President Stefan Löfven and PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck met in Canberra with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss stronger cooperation between Europe and Australia at a time of growing geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation and increasing unilateralism.
The Party of European Socialists (PES) continues to support stronger cooperation between the European Union and like-minded democratic partners around the world, including through the EU–Australia trade agreement, the Security and Defence Partnership, and broader cooperation frameworks.
Stefan Löfven, PES President; Katy Gallagher, Australian Minister for Finance; Giacomo Filibeck, PES Secretary General
PES underlined that, in an increasingly unstable international environment, the European Union must continue building strategic partnerships with reliable democratic partners committed to multilateralism, international cooperation and a rules-based international order.
During the visit, the PES delegation also held meetings with Minister for Industry and Innovation Tim Ayres, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, Minister for Finance Katy Gallagher, Chief of Staff to Foreign Minister Penny Wong Anna Oldmeadow, Australian Labor International Assistant National Secretary Rosie Ryan.
The visit was organised in coordination with Australian Labor Party National Secretary Paul Erickson.
Stefan Löfven, PES President; Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry and Innovation of Australia; Giacomo Filibeck, PES Secretary General; Paul Erickson, national secretary of the Australian Labor Party
Discussions also highlighted the importance of stronger cooperation between progressive leaders and parties from different regions of the world to improve people’s living conditions, protect workers’ rights, advance a fair and green transition, and preserve democratic values.
Giacomo Filibeck, PES Secretary General; Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy of Australia; Stefan Löfven, PES President
PES President Stefan Löfven said:
“In a world marked by growing geopolitical instability and uncertainty, partnerships between like-minded democratic partners matter more than ever. Europe and Australia share a strong commitment to democracy, multilateralism, social justice and climate action.
The Party of European Socialists strongly supports the strengthening of relations between the European Union and Australia, including through the trade agreement, the Security and Defence Partnership and broader cooperation initiatives.
Progressive leaders and parties across the world must continue working together to improve people’s lives, protect workers and defend democratic values. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s leadership plays an important role in advancing this shared progressive vision.”
Stefan Löfven, PES President; Anthony Albanese, Australian Prime Minister
PES also reaffirmed, following the experience of the Global Progressive Mobilisation held in Barcelona last April, its strong belief that progressive partners and leaders from different regions of the world must work together to improve people’s living conditions, protect democratic values, and strengthen multilateral cooperation.
PES will continue working with progressive partners worldwide to defend multilateralism, strengthen democratic cooperation and deliver fairer, more secure, and more sustainable societies for all citizens.
