The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will travel to Australia to finalize a strategic agreement on security and trade.

Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, is planning a visit to Australia to finalize a major agreement on security and trade. This trip will take place after the meeting between the European Commissioner for Trade, Maroš Šefčovič, and his Australian counterpart, Don Farrell, scheduled in Brussels. The European Union and Australia are resuming trade negotiations, which were suspended at the end of 2023 due to disagreements over export quotas for beef and lamb. Ursula von der Leyen's visit, which could last four days, will follow the Munich Security Conference. An agreement with Australia would provide the EU access to strategic mineral resources, with Australia being the main producer of lithium and having significant copper reserves. However, controversies are expected regarding the agricultural component of the pact, similar to those encountered in negotiations with Mercosur countries.