The EU-Australia Leadership Forum was officially launched by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop, and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Frederica Mogherini, on 8 September in Brussels.

The launch marks the beginning of a 3-year initiative aimed at broadening and deepening the EU-Australian bilateral relationship. Over the course of the project, a series of Senior and Emerging Leaders’ Forums, Sectoral Policy Workshops and publications will provide opportunities for collaboration on new ideas in key areas such as trade, security, counter terrorism, education, innovation and sustainable development.

The Australian Institute of International Affairs is a member of the consortium selected by the European Commission through a competitive tender process along with MWH – now part of Stantec, Agriconsulting Europe and the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce. AIIA National Executive Director Melissa Conley Tyler is the team leader of the project: http://europeaustraliaforum.eu/project-team.

For more information, see the official joint press release on the launch of the EU-Australia Leadership Forum: http://eeas.europa.eu/node/9541_en and the EU-Australia Leadership Forum website europeaustraliaforum.eu.