ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Welcome to the President of European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, my friend and your delegation. And you are so welcome here in Australia. And I can't think of a more important time than for you to be here right now, when we are reminded of the importance of friends, engaging economically, socially, and importantly in terms of our personal relations. Here in Australia, of course, many people can trace their origins back to Europe. My name speaks for itself, where that is from, with my Italian heritage. But so many of us can do that. This is a historic day. You will be the 20th leader to address a Joint Sitting of our National Parliament, but the first woman leader. And so it is a very important occasion. And today we have three important breakthroughs. On trade, something that we have been talking about for a long period of time that will benefit both Europe and Australia, at a time where free and fair trade is under scrutiny and under pressure. The fact that our respective economies will work together in our mutual interest will lead to greater prosperity, greater cooperation as well across the board. Our Defence and Security Partnership is so important. We couldn't have envisaged a few years ago that there would be a land war in Europe with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As you know, Australia, had been a participant in the Coalition of the Willing, defending the courageous Ukrainian people in their struggle against what is an illegal and immoral invasion of their territory. And that is important, not just for Europe, but of course, for the world as well, for the message it sends. We cannot allow a larger, more powerful country to just exercise its brutality in the way that Russia has. Thirdly, of course, Horizon Europe, talking about our investment and participation in what is the world's largest research and development operation, bringing together some of the best minds of innovation, and talking about how we expand human potential and human ingenuity and creativity, is going to be so important that Australia is able to participate in that. So, you are very welcome. We have had a friendship for some time now, and we've spoken about your visit here. And I'm certain as well that Australians will understand the particular effort given the context of the global turbulence that is occurring, you making the effort with your delegation to come here, it says a lot about the importance of our strategic relationship between Europe and Australia.
URSULA VON DER LEYEN, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION: Thank you very much, it is a pleasure, it is an honour to be here in Canberra and thank you very much for your warm welcome. As you say, it's a long way from Europe to Australia, but it's absolutely worth it, because today we are writing a new chapter in our partnership. Australia is a like minded partner and is a trusted friend. [inaudible] Good friends have to stand by each other to get closer, and that's what we're doing today. The three fields on which we are progressing, the field of trade, where we will bring the Free Trade Agreement over the finish line, the Security and Defence Partnership means to work together in case of the many events or threats that we're seeing worldwide. But Horizon Europe also the negotiations now for Australia to be an associated member of Horizon Europe is fantastic because it brings the brightest minds together. So, it's a joint journey that we are starting today, founded on, grounded on our friendship and partnership over many many years. And thank you very much again for hosting me. Very glad to be here.