Prior to the arrival of French president Francois Hollande in Australia on Thursday, a spokesperson stated that "big contracts" were not on the agenda, and the focus would be placed upon "historical ties" and "France's gratitude" for Australia's role in the First World War. However, the prospect of a free trade agreement between Australia and the European Union was at the forefront of a joint press conference involving the two countries' leaders later in the day.
Following on from British prime minister David Cameron's suggestion at last week's G20 summit, Hollande not only expressed support for the free trade proposal, but said that he hopes the process can begin soon and end quickly. Hollande highlighted the pork industry as a sector that could benefit, as the French agricultural sector is currently unable to export its pork products to Australia--Hollande added that cooperation from Australia might also open trade relations with Asian markets.
Hollande's official presidential visit to Australia is a first for a French president in the history of the two nations. Australian academics pointed out that, even though 40,000 Australian troops, also called "diggers," died on the Western Front during World War I, historical events since that time have soured relations between the two nations. Of particular significance were the nuclear tests by the French in the Pacific Ocean and the decolonization process by the French in the South Pacific.
Indeed, the First World War was the first business item on the agenda for Thursday morning, as Abbott and Hollande planted an oak tree together at Canberra's War Memorial Park, using a mix of Australian and French soil. The commemorative gesture occurs after Abbott was present in France for the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy in June. Now, Hollande represents France on Australia's shores nearly a century after the War ended.
In addition to the G20 summit, the year has been full of diplomatic duties for the Australian leader, and Abbott's discussion of a free trade deal with Hollande comes after finalizing such agreements with Japan, South Korea and China.
