The third Security Policy Consultations between the Foreign and Defence Ministries of Australia and Germany convened today on 8 June 2026 at the level of Ministers. The Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, Dr. Johann Wadephul, and the Federal Minister of Defence of Germany, Boris Pistorius, welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia, the Hon Richard Marles MP, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, to Berlin.
Australia and Germany are determined to address common and similar security and regional challenges in close cooperation, based on shared values and interests, including through our increasingly close bilateral cooperation, with the aim of promoting international peace, stability and the rules-based international order.
Global Security Challenges
Ministers unequivocally condemned Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and demanded its complete and unconditional withdrawal. Both countries reaffirmed their call for a comprehensive and unconditional ceasefire as a first step towards a just and lasting peace and underscored their continued steadfast support for Ukraine. Ministers agreed that such support remains crucial, including via NATO. They called on support from the international community to increase the pressure on Russia, including for third countries to cease their direct and indirect support to Russia’s military, and for those with influence on Russia, particularly China, to play a positive role in achieving a just and lasting peace.
Against the backdrop of expanding conflict and escalating humanitarian impacts in the Middle East, Australia and Germany called on all parties to uphold international law and protect civilian life. Ministers unequivocally condemned Iran’s dangerous escalations, particularly in and around the Strait of Hormuz, its attacks against merchant vessels, and threats of further attacks. They recognised the severe disruptions to the global economy and supply chains, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to open markets and rules-based trade in energy resources, liquid fuels, and downstream commodities. Ministers reiterated their support for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict and urged Iran to immediately and unconditionally restore free, safe and toll-free passage through the Strait, based on international law.
Ministers recognised that economic security is critical to national security. They highlighted the importance of coordinated, strategic action aimed at building shared economic resilience working with like-minded powers.
Indo-Pacific Cooperation
Ministers committed to building resilience through encouraging deeper cooperation between Europe and the Indo-Pacific, including with like-minded partners. They underlined the pivotal role of international law as the foundation of the international order and reaffirmed the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, noting that the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award is final and binding on the parties.
Ministers underscored the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and reaffirmed their shared opposition to any unilateral action to change the status quo by force or coercion. They reaffirmed that differences should be managed through dialogue and supported Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations as a member where statehood is not a prerequisite, and as an observer or guest where it is.
Ministers agreed to continue working together to support a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific region. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to COP31 including the importance of the pre-COP in the Pacific and global support for Pacific island countries’ resilience.
Defence Cooperation
Ministers recognised the deteriorating international security environment and underscored the importance of strengthening defence cooperation. They committed to enhancing how our militaries exercise and cooperate, including by facilitating the movement of defence personnel and equipment through our respective territories and removing unnecessary barriers to operational collaboration. Following agreement in April 2026 to pursue a status of forces agreement, today Ministers announced the formal commencement of negotiations towards, and shared commitment to, reaching in-principle agreement of the text by the end of 2026. They also agreed to continue exploring opportunities for enhanced cooperation in space, discussed ways to bolster their defence industrial bases, and reaffirmed their close and trusted partnership in strengthening supply chain resilience and promoting economic growth.
Cybersecurity and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference
Ministers discussed the importance of cooperating on countering cyber and hybrid threats, as well as foreign information manipulation and interference, recognising the impacts of these challenges on democratic institutions and processes. They committed to ongoing cooperation to build collective responses, including in multilateral fora, to promote resilient, healthy, open, and fact-based environments.
Multilateral System
Ministers reaffirmed their steadfast support for international law and multilateral institutions, in particular the United Nations. Regarding the UN80 Initiative, Australia and Germany will work together and with partners, as well as with the United Nations and its agencies, in driving forward reform to build a more effective and efficient UN.
They also reiterated their strong commitment to the multilateral economic and trading system, including the World Trade Organization and the G20.
