Today, I was delighted to meet with Mr Olivier Becht, the French Minister-Delegate in charge of Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, to advance the Australia - France economic, trade and investment relationship.
Our bilateral relationship is underpinned by shared values and substantial trade and investment ties, underscored by strong people-to-people links.
We are committed supporters of a rules-based international order, including the World Trade Organisation.
Minister-Delegate Becht and I had a very positive discussion about the growing trade and investment flows between our two countries.
France remains an attractive destination for Australian start-ups and a significant source of foreign direct investment in Australia, with French companies supporting Australian jobs and transfer of know-how.
Both Australia and France reiterated our support for concluding the Australia-European Union (EU) trade agreement negotiations. We acknowledged that an ambitious and comprehensive trade deal would provide an opportunity to boost two-way trade and investment and further strengthen the bilateral relationship.
I highlighted that Australia is a secure and reliable supplier of food, energy and mineral resources and a world-class centre for financial and other services.
With deep economic connections with Indo-Pacific partners, Australia is well positioned to act as a springboard for French firms seeking to gain access into the region.
We will continue to work together to support a low-emissions future, including through cooperation and investment in Australia's renewable energy sector.
Australia deeply values our close relationship with France and I thank Minister-Delegate Becht for this discussion and the cordial way in which we are resetting the bilateral relationship between our two countries.
