Fact Check: Australia is to hold formal negotiations on joining a new defence agreement with the European Union during the G7 summit in Calgary, Canada, in October 2023.

Fact Check: Australia to Hold Formal Negotiations on Joining a New Defence Agreement with the European Union During the G7 Summit

What We Know

During the G7 summit held in Calgary, Canada, in October 2023, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that he would instruct senior ministers to review a request from the European Union (EU) for a formal defence partnership. This statement indicates that Australia is considering the EU's proposal for a defence agreement, although it does not confirm that formal negotiations will take place during the summit itself (SBS, AFR).

The context of this discussion is significant, as the EU is actively seeking to strengthen its defence ties globally, particularly in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions. The EU has previously established similar agreements with other nations, such as South Korea and Japan, which underscores its intent to forge strategic partnerships (The Defense Post, 9News).

Analysis

The claim that Australia is to hold formal negotiations on joining a new defence agreement with the EU during the G7 summit is partially true. While Prime Minister Albanese did express a willingness to consider the EU's request for a defence partnership, the specifics of "formal negotiations" were not explicitly stated in the context of the summit. Instead, the discussions appear to be preliminary, with Albanese's ministers tasked to review the proposal rather than engage in formal talks at the summit (SBS, AFR).

The reliability of the sources reporting on this matter varies. The SBS and AFR articles provide direct quotes from Albanese and contextual information about the EU's strategic interests, making them credible sources for understanding the situation. However, the broader implications of these discussions, including the timeline and potential outcomes, remain uncertain and are subject to further developments (SBS, AFR, The Guardian).

Conclusion

The verdict on the claim is Partially True. While Australia is indeed considering a request from the EU for a formal defence partnership, the assertion that formal negotiations will occur during the G7 summit lacks definitive confirmation. The discussions are in the exploratory phase, and further steps will depend on the outcomes of ministerial reviews and subsequent meetings.

Sources

1. G7: Australia considering EU request for formal defence ... - SBS
2. Defence: Anthony Albanese approves talks for Australia-European Union ... - AFR
3. Australia to hold talks aimed at entering defence pact with EU - The Guardian
4. EU Seeks New Defense Agreement With Australia - The Defense Post
5. European Union seeking defence pact with Australia - 9News