Australia says current priority with EU remains securing trade agreement after European Parliament President suggests associate member status

Canberra/Brussels, Sep 18 (UNI) After European Parliament President Roberta Metsola suggested that Australia and New Zealand could also be considered for "associate membership" of the European union following the bloc's invitation to Canada, Australia has said its immediate priority remains concluding a long-awaited trade agreement with Europe. An Australian government spokesperson said Canberra's relationship with Brussels had "never been stronger or more important", but that the focus was on finalising the EU-Australia free trade agreement. "This once-in-a-generation deal gives our farmers, exporters, producers and businesses access to 27 EU countries and 450 million consumers," the spokesperson said. "Australia is a…