Australia closer to a free trade pact with EU but minister warns there won’t be a deal ‘for the sake of it’

Negotiators make progress in Canberra but thorny issue of geographical indicators is believed to remain a sticking point

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Australian and European Union negotiators believe they are getting closer to clinching a free trade agreement as they race to meet a mid-year deadline, but the Albanese government warns it will “not sign a deal for the sake of it”.

Guardian Australia understands officials finalised three chapters of the agreement – on competition, telecommunications and maritime services – during a round of negotiations last week in Canberra.

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