Welcome to the Australian Embassy, Berlin

Australia has a warm and significant bilateral relationship with Germany

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           We have wide-ranging dialogue and cooperation with Germany, which ranks among Australia's leading trading partners.  We have a strong and expanding investment relationship.  Germany is a major source of foreign direct investment in Australia and one of Australia's largest investment destinations.

Germany has been a significant source of migrants to Australia. Germans and Australians have wide-ranging interest in each other's culture.  Australia is one of the most popular overseas destinations for German tourists and students.  The Government is keen to expand existing links with Germany, including in traditional and new commercial spheres.

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NEWS

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Bilateral Relations

 

Prime Minister Turnbull visiting Berlin

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been to Berlin for a successful three-day visit, 21-24 April. He met Chancellor Angela Merkel for political talks (see statement) and gave a keynote address at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. He separately also met with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen and visited a Siemens training centre which currently hosts a number of Australian apprentices.

The Chancellor and the Prime Minister said they enjoyed a close working relationship, both supporting a strong international rules-based order and a free trade agenda.

Prime Minister Turnbull with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Ambassdor Lynette Wood and DFAT Secretary Frances Adamson in Berlin
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Minister Cormann on brief visit to Frankfurt

On his way back to Australia from this year's World Economic Forum in Davos, Australian Finance Minister Senator Mathias Cormann stopped over in Frankfurt on 26 January for an Australia Day reception hosted by Consul-General and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner Richard Leather. On his return to Canberra, his long-standing work on advancing bilateral German-Australian relations was honoured by the award of the German Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, presented to him by the German Ambassador to Australia, Dr Anna Prinz.

Minister Cormann (centre left) with German State Minister Professor Maria Böhmer (left), German MP Volkmar Klein and Ambassador Lynette Wood in Frankfurt
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"bringing the German-Australian relationship to the highest level it has ever seen."
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull opened the Asia Pacific Regional Conference, along with Federal President Steinmeier (4 Nov 2017)

The Asia-Pacific Regional Conference (APRC) 2017, held in Perth from 3-5 November, was the most significant conference between Germany and Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region. The APRC, organised by the German-Australian Chamber of Commerce with the support of the Australian Government brought together business and government leaders and around 1000 international delegates from Germany, Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

Opened jointly by Australian Prime Minister Turnbull and German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the APRC succeeded in further broadening, deepening and strengthening the German-Australian bilateral relationship, and enhancing business and policy ties throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

The conference program generated thought-provoking and meaningful exchanges on the most significant policy issues of today, including the future of global trade agreements, geopolitics in the Asia-Pacific region and the fourth industrial revolution. High-level panels discussed key challenges and showcased opportunities in our economies and societies, including disruptive technologies and innovation, the future of energy and resources, cybersecurity, defence industry, agritech, future cities and the future of work.

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Minister Cormann: Stronger ties between Australia and Germany in our interest

(opinion piece published in The Australian 24 July 2017)
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Strengthening ties with Germany at the G20

The Australian Government is working with Germany to drive new opportunities through the Hamburg G20 Summit. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured below left on arrival in Hamburg, 6 July) met with Chancellor Angela Merkel for a bilateral meeting prior to the opening of the G20 Summit.

 

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Australia's Chief Scientist visiting Germany

Australia's Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, visited Germany 24-26 April. In Berlin, he i.a. participated in a discussion forum with Professor Schellnhuber of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.
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Delegation of Indigenous community representatives in Berlin for repatriation of ancestral remains

A delegation of representatives of Indigenous Australian communities  arrived in Berlin on 21 March 2017 for a repatriation of ancestral remains from a number of German institutions.  A formal ceremony was held on 23 March 2017 at the Australian Embassy.

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Fifth Australian Landing Pad finds a home in Berlin

Berlin’s Betahaus house has become the home of Australia’s fifth Landing Pad – a place for Aussie entrepreneurs to launch their startup to the world. With this final Landing Pad established, Australian startups now have the opportunity to access investment capital, networks, mentors and ideas in five key locations across the globe, from San Francisco to Shanghai, Singapore, Tel Aviv and now Berlin.

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Celebration of Australia in Germany

The Australian Government will host Australia now, a major celebration of Australia’s creativity and innovation, in Germany in 2017. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop (pictured below) announced the program on 6 September at a reception held at the Australian Embassy in Berlin.

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Australia elected to the Human Rights Council

Australia was elected by a majority of United Nations member states on 16 October 2017 to serve a three-year term on the Human Rights Council, the world’s peak body for promoting and protecting human rights.

For latest news available from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, please see www.dfat.gov.au
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Tall Poppies: The Podcast - Spotlighting Australian Luminaries Abroad

Listen to Australian journalist Breandáin O'Shea presenting conversations with exceptional Australians who have made Germany their home, including stage director Barrie Kosky, conductor Simone Young, composer and violist Brett Dean, singer-songwriter Kat Frankie and choreographer Rhys Martin.
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Archive