An event at RMIT, as part of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence on EU-Australia Trade Relations and Ambitious Negotiations: Implications for Security Concerns in the Indo-Pacific.
Since the early days of European integration, enhancing the trade opportunities for European Union (EU) Member States has been a key priority. While the early decades focused on the development of the Single Market, the last three decades have seen the EU develop a strong commitment to bilateral trade agreements. Since Trade for All in 2013, EU Trade Policy has become increasingly focused on not only enhancing opportunities for European companies and citizens, but also for promoting EU values and wider policy objectives in global geo-politics. EU concerns for human rights, labour standards and climate action, for example, have become increasingly prominent as part of an ambitious trade negotiations agenda. Notwithstanding these developments, the EU approach has been criticise for masking a strongly protectionist agenda.
Why has EU trade policy evolved in this way? Has the practice in negotiations reflected the rhetoric of policy? What might EU trade policy offer to other nations, such as Australia, which are involved in negotiations with the EU?
These issues and others will be addressed in this seminar, led by Dr Kaye Quek, Rita Vago, and Paul O’Hagan. Please join us. You can register by return mail to Professor Bruce Wilson, at bruce.wilson(AT)rmit.edu.au. It is the first seminar offered as part of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence on EU-Australia Trade Relations and Ambitious Negotiations: Implications for Security Concerns in the Indo-Pacific. This is a 3-year research and engagement project funded by the European Union.
Light refreshments will be provided.
The Speakers:
Dr Kaye Quek is the Program Manager of the Bachelor of International Studies, and a Senior Lecturer in Global Studies in RMIT’s School of Global, Urban and Social Studies. She teaches courses relating to feminism and politics in RMIT’s Bachelor of International Studies program. She is a Chief Investigator in the EUATRAN project.
Rita Vago is the General Manager of the Australian Institute of International Affairs Victoria (AIIA VIC). Prior to her role at AIIA VIC, she served as Hungary’s Trade Commissioner to Australia, where she was responsible for Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania for nearly a decade and for New Zealand for two years. In this capacity, Rita played a crucial role in enhancing bilateral trade relations, organising high-level business forums, and facilitating significant delegations, including two presidential visits to Australia.
Paul O’Hagan is a deeply experienced in international trade and investment with particular expertise in Australia’s economic and political relationships with the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union. He was a Chief Adviser to the U.S. Government on Brexit.
Presented by the EU Centre of Excellence and Social Equity Research Centre at RMIT University and cofunded by the Jean Monnet Activities Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. Project number: 101176871 — EUATRAN.
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