It continues to be an extremely exciting time for Australian-European relations.  The end of 2023 demonstrated the increased interest amongst European leaders in furthering their relationships not only with Australia, but specifically with Victoria through high level visits from Lithuania, Belgium and France.

Global Victoria played a key role in the successful delivery of these visits to not only showcase and profile Victorian strengths across a variety of sectors but also to connect visiting businesses, universities, research institutions and government officials to their Victorian counterparts to establish meaningful connections, drive collaboration and partnership and establish new business opportunities.

Visit by the President of Lithuania, H.E. Gitanas Nausėda to Victoria – October 2023

Global Victoria, in partnership with the European Australian Business Council (EABC) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania was proud to host the President of Lithuania, His Excellency Gitanas Nausėda  at the ‘Victoria – Lithuania Business and Academic Forum’ in October.

CEO of EABC, Jason Collins (pictured right) leads a panel discussion Tim Dillon , Agent-General to the UK & Commissioner for Victoria to Europe delivered remarks and introduced President Nausėda to deliver the keynote address, followed by a panel discussion with the CEO of EABC, Jason Collins.

Together, they discussed how global partnerships are key to innovation and highlighted the increasing collaboration between Victoria, Australia, Lithuania, and the European Union across business, science, and academia.

Representatives from Victorian businesses, universities and science and research institutes were joined by an inbound delegation of over 25 Lithuanian businesses, universities, and research institutions at the event with expertise in commercialisation of innovation in cyber technology and security, lasers, digital green economy, renewable energy and sustainable food and maritime industries.

Belgian Economic Mission to Australia – October 2023

Global Victoria welcomed Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium and a delegation of 300 senior Belgian business, academic and government leaders to Melbourne in October.

Global Victoria welcomed Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium and a delegation of 300 senior Belgian business, academic and government leaders to Melbourne in October.

Working in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium, the Embassy of Belgium in Australia, the Wallonia Export & Investment Agency, Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) and the European Australian Business Council (EABC), Global Victoria delivered a series of high-impact activities to ensure meaningful connections between Victoria and Belgium were created.

Victoria's Commissioner to Europe, the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa, Gönül Serbest (pictured far right) moderates a Global Victoria Women (GVw) event, ‘𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺’ which showcased the experiences, stories, insights and perspectives of diverse women in international business.Highlights included an economic seminar, ‘𝘝𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢 – 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘨𝘪𝘶𝘮: 𝘎𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘖𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴’ with Tim Pallas MP, Treasurer of Victoria and Minister for Economic Growth. Victoria's Commissioner to Europe, the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa, Gönül Serbest also moderated a Global Victoria Women (GVw) event, ‘𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺’ which showcased the experiences, stories, insights and perspectives of diverse women in international business.

With two-way trade between Belgium and Victoria worth $897 million in FY2022-23, and as a strong investor in the state, Victoria values its long-standing, multifaceted relationship with Belgium.

Visit by the French Foreign Minister and the signing of a significant partnership between Victoria and France – December 2023

Victoria's Treasurer and Minister for Economic Growth, Mr Tim Pallas announced the signing of a Letter of Intent between Victoria and France to foster stronger trade and investment ties and collaborate in the fields of energy transition; science, innovation and technology; culture, sport and education; and health. As a growing export partner for Victoria and one of the largest foreign direct investors in the state, France is an important economic partner for the state.

Victoria’s engagement with France is supported by the new Victorian Government Trade and Investment office located in Paris, France under the leadership of the Commissioner for Victoria for Europe, Gönül Serbest.

With these strong ties, Victoria's Treasurer and Minister for Economic Growth, Mr Tim Pallas announced the signing of a Letter of Intent between Victoria and France to foster stronger trade and investment ties and collaborate in the fields of energy transition; science, innovation and technology; culture, sport and education; and health.
The signing took place at the launch of the French-Australian Centre for Energy Transition, hosted by Swinburne University of Technology.

The signing of the Letter of Intent coincided with the visit of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, to Australia.

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