Common ground, worlds apart: The development of Australia's relationship with the European Union

Abstract

The increasing importance of the European Union (EU) as an international actor has only recently come to the attention of Australian foreign policy analysts and commentators. Given that Australia's economic policy relations with western Europe are now conducted 'as much, if not more, with the European Union as with the individual countries themselves' (Evans and Grant, 1995: 309) the relationship between the EU and Australia warrants greater consideration. This article explores the broadening of the relationship between Australia and the EU: from the beginning when Australia was focused almost exclusively on the UK; through years of turbulent disagreement over the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP); to the latest phase, characterised by greater dialogue and significant bilateral agreements. It argues that Australia's relationship with the EU, an asymmetrical one, disadvantages the weaker partner and this has been compounded by some diplomatic mismanagement, a fact that is gradually dawning on current analysts and policy-makers in Australia. Further, it is clear that concentration on a single issue, the CAP, has disadvantaged Australia in the past.