Trade talks between Australia and the EU have stalled over issues such as geographical indicators. Photo: AAP
Australian and European ministers will resume talks in a bid to resolve an impasse over an agreement that would open up market access.
Free trade agreement negotiations stalled after Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell walked away from the table claiming a lack of market access for sectors such as agriculture meant the high quality deal being sought could not be achieved.
Senator Farrell will hold talks with EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis via teleconference on Thursday.
He has also invited Mr Dombrovskis to Australia for the next round of official ministerial negotiations, an invitation he is set to reiterate during their meeting.
It was initially hoped the free trade agreement could be wrapped up by the middle of the year.
The Europeans are also pushing for geographical indicators, which would stop Australian producers from using names like feta, prosecco and kalamata.
The trade minister has indicated this is a non-starter for Australia, saying it is reasonable for farmers to use the terms to represent varieties of products rather than European regions.
– AAP