News & Events

Geografical Product Trade Marks – Legal Issues

November 1, 2016 by Gosia Hill in News & Events, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Ivano Castella and Guenter Pratz

AuEuConnect participated in an interesting and informative luncheon seminar, organised by the EU Centre for Global Affairs, University of Adelaide.  An Informal Luncheon discussion was held on 28th October 2016 at the premises of Law Firm Minter Ellison and was attended by Guenter Pratz, Director AUEU Connect.

What’s in a Name? Geographical Indicators: How they are handled in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) and implications for the EU/Australia FTA.

The session Moderator was Jane Drake-Brockman, Director, EU Centre for Global Affairs, The University of Adelaide.

International Guest Speakers included:

Dr Danny Friedman, Visiting Scholar, Californian Western School of Law

Ivano Casella, Counsellor, Trade and Economic Section, Delegation of the European Union Canberra

Caroline McCarthy, Director, Free Trade Division, Dept. of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Canberra

For more comprehensive information on the discussion please go to:  www.adelaide.edu/au/eucentre

Ambassador to the EU Dr. Mark Higgie Visits Adelaide

June 17, 2016 by Gosia Hill in News & Events | Leave a comment

 

Mr Pratz with Dr Mark Higgie, Ambassador to the EU

On the 18th of May 2016 AuEuConnect Director and the Vice-Chairman of the German European Chamber of SA, Mr Guenter Pratz was invited to lunch with His Excellency Dr. Mark Higgie Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, the European Union and NATO.  Department of Foreign Affair and Trade (DFAT) hosted the event to strengthen ties between Federal and State initiatives. 

Dr. Higgie was previously Senior Adviser (International) to the Prime Minister. Before joining the Prime Minister’s staff Dr. Higgie was at the Office of National Assessments where he served as the Senior Europe Analyst and later as Australia’s representative on the UK Joint Intelligence Committee (London).  Ambassador Higgie has a working command of a number of languages including German.

Dr. Higgie reported on a significant number of initiatives at the Federal level. This included primarily the work currently undertaken for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU. The Australian Prime Minister together with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission agreed to start the process towards a FTA. in a joint statement.

As a bloc, the EU is Australia’s largest source of foreign investment and second largest trading partner.