We have 4 questions. Australia first. Thanks, Prime Minister. President von der Leyen, welcome to Australia.

You mentioned your 3 deals, the trilogy of trade.

All 3 negotiations were long and drawn out but have been wrapped up in the space of a few months. You also mentioned uncertainty and tariffs.

Can you just be clear, has Donald Trump's tariff regime forced Europe to compromise in ways that it wouldn't previously?

And Prime Minister, you also spoke about Ukraine and sorry, Europe and Australia being steadfast in Ukraine.

What's your reaction to the US lifting sanctions on Russian oil in recent weeks?

So what I have seen with a growing unpredictability and uncertainty worldwide is that countries are longing for stability and predictability.

And this is what the European Union is offering and therefore it was basically an open door on both sides where we started our negotiations knowing that we want a situation where a free trade agreement leads to a win-win situation for both sides,

and this is what we are showing here. You can have a free trade agreement. And both sides are winning.

It's complementary, it's enhancing the business sectors on both sides and it benefits the people on both sides,

and this is the reason why we concluded many free trade agreements in the last months indeed.

This shows that we can together prove that a rules based trade is the right way to go.

Thanks certainly Australia on on that issue as well, we stand for free and fair trade.

And at a time where that is under some pressure, globally as well.

I think this agreement sends a message as well to the world that that that it is possible to stick to the rules,

to engage in a way that benefits both of our nations.

And similarly, Australia determines our own position as well when it comes to the rule of law globally.

And the reason why we oppose the Russian invasion of Ukraine is that it's an attack on national sovereignty of a sovereign state,

of a democratic state.

And the fact that there's been a land war in Europe, is something that wasn't anticipated,

and when the Russian illegal and immoral invasion occurred, people thought it would not last for that long.

It of course has lasted for many years now.

And we've continued to provide support for Ukraine and we'll continue to do so.

We'll continue to engage, with our European partners.

So for example, our E7 aircraft have operated from both Germany and Poland in providing assistance,

for Ukraine.

Australia has provided some $1.7 billion of support,

which given our distance from, the Ukraine is a substantial, investment. We'll continue to do so.

Other countries, it's up to them, to determine their position, but our position is very clear,

and it remains unequivocal standing with the people of Ukraine. A question from the EU.

On the land, will the European Union expand its existing maritime security operations to the Strait of Hormuz?

If so, how soon will we see European ships contributing there? What are the conditions?

And, Prime Minister, would Australia consider contributing to such a?

So the leaders in the European Union have been very clear.

That when the hostilities end, they could envisage.

An operation, a mission, but of course it is not for me to judge on their decision.

To provide the necessary capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz.

We've continued to condemn the Iranian regime for the actions it's taken in the Strait of Hormuz.

This is having an impact on the global economy and the targeting of of of civilian ships is against the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,

which allows for freedom of navigation is very important.

What Australia has provided, Is an E7 aircraft to wedge tail to the region,

that's providing support, particularly for the UAE after their request.

And of course the UAE is on the the northern part of the Strait of Hormuz,

and in addition to that,

we're providing Emirates to the UAE to provide that support.

That is the request that we've had up to this point in time. Australia.

President von der Leyen, now just to fill in that last answer, do you think Donald Trump started a war that he can't finish, and, do you think that,

not withstanding what you just said, that at some point, European countries and,

nations further afield like Australia may have to become,

involved in some sort of operation to reopen Australia for?

So what I've said at the beginning of the press statement already,

we think that it is time to go to the negotiation table and to end the hostilities.

The situation is critical for the energy supplyies worldwide.

We all feel the knock-on effects on gas and oil prices,

our businesses and our societies.

But it is of utmost importance that we come to a solution that is negotiated,

and this puts an end to the hostilities that we see in the Middle East, the EU.

A question for both of you if I may.

On the free trade agreement, the negotiations had pretty much failed in 2023.

Now what has changed, of course, as has been mentioned, is President Donald Trump is back in the White House and international environment.

On the substance of the free trade agreement, agricultural issues were thorny on both sides when things failed in 2020.

What has changed to enable you today to complete your?

I think this is, a good agreement that's a win-win.

For Australia and a win for the European Union.

The context of the agreement is important as well.

This is, both the European Union and Australia asserting that we believe in free and fair trade,

that we understand that trade advances the prosperity of both trading entities who are involved.

That it is in our interest to get this done.

I must say as well that the personal relationships matter.

The president and I have had a number of discussions, very directly, that matters.

I've had personal discussions with, everyone from Chancellor Merz to President Macron, to, the, head of, all of the nations in Europe, including,

of course, Ireland as well, about why, this is in,

both the interests of Europe and in the interests of Australia.

And this is a good outcome, and in many ways, we have, two things, two points I would make as well.

One, when it comes to some of the issues that were there, some of the geographical names, for example.

One of the things about Australia is that with the exception of First Nations people,

we're all either migrants or descendants of migrants, and many of those have come from Europe.

And that's why, whether it's Greeks coming here, And creating feta, or Italians coming and doing parmesan,

or or people from Eastern Europe doing Kransky sausages,

those things, it's a connection with Europe.

It's part of our strength is our people to people relations as well.

And I think all of that understanding and engagement, has assisted.

In addition to that, Australia has things such as critical minerals, that are needed,

and as the president has said, we're a big producer, they're a big user. That's complementarity.

That is a win-win, that's growth and prosperity in both Europe and Australia. And that's the thing about trade.

Trade is what has lifted people out of poverty around the world.

And that complementarity is a message to the world.

My government unequivocally believes in free and fair trade.

We've engaged, European nations, of course, and through the European Union. The European project is so important.

For the world and for peace and prosperity, for the world as well, and I think that relationship, making sure that we got with these two tough negotiators here,

that they were able also to nut it out, and it helps,

the re-election of both of us to our respective positions, means that you don't have.

Revolving door, I don't know how many trade ministers the former government had here, but when you've got different people coming through the door,

all the time, and that turnover, it becomes very difficult cos you start again.

What we haven't done is start again, what we've had is a consistent, government, in Australia with one trade minister,

one prime minister, and in the European Union and, the leadership of the president.

You've also had a capacity to make sure that we deliver. Just thinking what can I add?

As the Prime Minister said, personal relationship matters, and indeed the two of us decided, I think it was 1.5 years ago,

it cannot be that we cannot bring this free trade agreement that is so close to be finished over the finish line,

and it needed the political push, but it also needed indeed the skillful sphere of our chief negotiators here.

To bring it over the finish line and indeed we have found a balance, as you can see from both sides and fair agreement,

and it's beneficial for both sides, both sides, businesses and people,

and therefore I'm very grateful and very proud at the same time that we made it. It's a great day. Thank you. Thank you.

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