Advancing the Australian-Spanish trade relationship
Today, I was pleased to meet with Ms Maria Reyes Maroto Illera, the Spanish Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, to advance the Australian–Spanish economic, trade and investment relationship. Our warm and productive relationship is underpinned by shared values, a commitment to multilateralism and the international rules-based order, and close economic ties. Our people-to-people links continue to grow, and in June this year, Prime Minister Albanese became the first Australian Leader to officially visit Spain.
Minister Reyes Maroto and I welcomed the growing trade and investment opportunities between our two countries, notably in the renewable energy, infrastructure and transport sectors, and our long standing bilateral defence industry cooperation. We affirmed our commitment to conclude negotiations on a high-quality and comprehensive trade agreement between Australia and the European Union as quickly as possible.
I reiterated that Australia could only agree to a trade deal that generates new, commercially meaningful market access opportunities across all sectors, including agriculture.
We also discussed our shared interests in responding to economic coercion and acknowledged the importance of working with trusted partners to preserve the integrity of the multilateral system.
We will continue to work together to support a low emissions future, including through cooperation and investment in Australia’s renewable energy sector.