Abstract

This briefing paper contains the text of the Robert Schuman lecture, given by Mr Alastair Walton on 23 May 2012 at the Australian National University. The annual lecture celebrates the remarkable achievements of European integration since its modest beginnings in the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951, announced in a declaration by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman. The 2012 lecture noted that in an increasingly globalised world, Australia’s long term prosperity relies on its ability to maintain a highly productive, flexible and open economy. Effective relations with the world’s economic powers are therefore paramount. Arguably, the European Union is the world’s leading soft power. The lecture substantiated that it is in Australia’s interest to take a whole of government approach to influence European thinking, as well as build Australia’s national brand in Brussels and Europe’s other capitals to better harness and influence the direction of European soft power in support of Australia’s strategic needs. The efforts of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Ambassador to the EU Brendan Nelson have fundamentally shifted Australia’s approach to Europe and are evolving Europe’s often misguided understanding of the Australian economy. Australia should continue to build on the momentum of this new phase of the relationship by pursuing an ambitious bilateral agenda, including the negotiation of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, commissioning a white paper on Europe’s influence in global affairs - including the various Europe-based multilateral agencies -, the appointment of an Ambassador for Europe, and undertaking a review of financial and operational resources in Australia’s key international agencies, specifically DFAT, Austrade and Ausaid.

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