Publication

In light of the agreement Australia signed with the EU in April 2015 enabling it to contribute to the Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions, this paper looks back at the history of EU-Australia cooperation. The author also looks at examples of crisis management operations in which Australia has been involved; why Australia has adopted a multilateral approach to security and defense policy; and the overlapping interests of Australia and the EU. Finally, the author describes how Australia's contribution to CSDP missions so far has been primarily focused on maritime issues and suggests what contribution the country could make to EU counterterrorist efforts.