Anthony Albanese’s attendance at the NATO summit is unusual for an Australian leader, but security analysts say it is vital in the shadow of Russia’s war on Ukraine and concerns over China’s military and economic assertion. Albanese will arrive in Madrid on Monday night for the meeting that brings together leaders of the United States and European nations that make up the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) security alliance.
The Prime Minister has been invited as part of the first formal Asia Pacific delegation to attend the meeting, along with leaders from New Zealand, Japan and South Korea.
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Australia is not a member of NATO, but has permanent observer status with the group, allowing the country to have transparency in its security cooperation. Dr. Malcolm Davis, of the Institute for Strategic Policy in Australia, said that the assistance of Mr. Albanese was “unusual,” but reflected “criticism.” “This is an especially important summit given what is happening in Europe right now with the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” he told SBS News. “For Albanese to attend this summit in person I think it is vital because it emphasizes that Australia is a partner of NATO and that NATO is not just Europe.
“More and more of its members are also focusing on the Indo-Pacific.”
Visits by Australian leaders to NATO leaders’ summits have been rare in recent years, with Australia usually represented by foreign or defense ministers. In 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd attended the annual summit of leaders, against the backdrop of the NATO mission in Afghanistan. His successor Julia Gillard also attended similar summits in Lisbon in 2010 and Chicago in 2012.
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also visited NATO in Brussels in 2018 for talks with the group’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg.
John Blaxland, a professor of international security at the National University of Australia, said the prime minister would take the opportunity to “squeeze the meat” with key world leaders, and his presence made “enormous sense” . “NATO is also important. For Australia for what it can do with contributing to Australia’s interests in the Indo-Pacific,” he told SBS News. “Anthony Albanese is establishing new credentials, he is actually in the process of building relationships with the top heads of state of major partner nations.” Albanese has described his attendance at the summit as “absolutely critical” alongside the invasion of Ukraine and facing an “uncertain world.” On June 14, Stoltenberg outlined the urgent challenge facing the security alliance. “In response to the invasion of Russia, we have strengthened our ability to protect and defend every inch of NATO allied territory,” he said. “In Madrid we will take the next steps. And okay [to] a major strengthening of our stance. “Dr. Davis said that although NATO has faced the greatest threat since the Cold War, it remains” very conscious “of responding to the military and economic assertion of China. “There is mutual interest there in the form of NATO’s work with Australia. and us strengthening and expanding our relationship, “he said. But Professor Blaxland said a closer commitment did not require Australia to commit” boots on the ground “to Europe.
“It is in our interest to align as best we can what NATO countries are doing in support of Ukraine because the defeat of Ukraine has huge implications.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Bucha, northwest of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Source: AFP / RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP via Getty Images
Hervé Lemahieu, research director at the Lowy Institute, said the summit is important because of the far-reaching implications of the Ukraine conflict. “The fact is that it is a recognition of the global ramifications of the war in Ukraine,” he told SBS. News. “The energy security crisis, the fact that the ramifications are also affecting this region, in terms of inflation and scarcity of food resources.” All of these issues affect Australians, so it’s a very positive sign of support and it makes sense that we’re coordinating with NATO partners. ” Mr. Albanese will hold side talks during the summit with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He is also expected to meet with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but no formal meeting has been confirmed. The prime minister will then stop in Paris to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron to strengthen ties, which have deteriorated under his predecessor due to a collapse. submarine contract with the French government.
The prime minister has also not confirmed whether he will accept a personal invitation to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.