Belgian princess honours Australian war dead while leading first trade mission since 2012

Belgium's Princess Astrid has honoured the Australians who died in World War I as she led a nearly two-week trade mission to Australia, which saw 25 business contracts signed. Key points: Princess Astrid led Belgium's first economic mission to Australia since 2012 The princess honoured Australians who died in Belgium in WWI Trade Minister Don Farrell will meet a top European official in Japan to discuss the stalled trade deal with the EU She headed the economic mission and represented the Belgium monarch, King Philippe, her older brother, as Australia and the European Union continue to negotiate over a stalled free trade deal. Trade links Princess Astrid led the 315-strong trade delegation, which met with government officials, academics, medical researchers, and businesses during their 10-day economic mission to Australia, where they visited Sydney and Melbourne. Belgium's ambassador to Australia, Michel Goffin, said the aim of the economic mission was to "kill the cliches."