NATO expresses disappointment as Anthony Albanese opts out of attending summit

The escalating safety state of affairs in Ukraine and Russia’s ongoing warfare have prompted considerations from NATO, with efforts underway to coordinate a response from the West. Nonetheless, studies point out that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese won’t be attending this yr’s NATO summit. This comes after Overseas Minister Penny Wong despatched a junior bureaucrat to final week’s international ministers’ assembly in Brussels, regardless of the presence of her Asia-Pacific counterparts. The choice has raised questions on Australia’s dedication to NATO and its efforts to deal with conflicts and aggression within the area. In the meantime, NATO Secretary Common Jens Stoltenberg has invited leaders from the AP4 nations, together with Australia, to attend the annual assembly for the second time.

Picture supply : The Japan time 

Why has Albanese been invited?

Regardless of not being a NATO member, Australia has a powerful partnership with the group and holds a everlasting observer standing as one in all NATO’s international companions. In the course of the lengthy mission in Afghanistan, Australia performed a vital function in serving to NATO meet its aims, with former Prime Ministers Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard attending NATO summits throughout this time.

Australia’s significance to NATO has not too long ago elevated attributable to two elements. Firstly, NATO acknowledges Australia’s contribution in supporting Ukraine in opposition to Russia’s invasion, comparable to the provision of Bushmaster armored automobiles and joint efforts with France to supply ammunition. Secondly, NATO has proven better concentrate on Indo-Pacific safety points, as mirrored within the 2022 NATO Strategic Idea which talked about the risk from China for the primary time. As a key associate in Indo-Pacific safety, Australia’s attendance on the NATO summit in 2022 is seen as a major step in the direction of additional cooperation on this area.

Susan Harris Rimmer, a professor at Griffith College, views NATO’s invitation for Australia to attend the summit as a optimistic indication of NATO’s intent to concentrate on China and Indo-Pacific safety. NATO Secretary-Common Jens Stoltenberg additionally speaks extremely of NATO’s partnership with Indo-Pacific nations, together with Australia

Picture supply : Crikey

Why Prime Minister Albanese won’t attend this yr’s NATO summit

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese won’t attend this yr’s NATO summit because of the deteriorating safety state of affairs surrounding Russia’s warfare on Ukraine. Overseas Minister Penny Wong had additionally despatched a junior bureaucrat to final week’s international ministers’ assembly in Brussels, regardless of her Asia-Pacific counterparts attending to assist coordinate the West’s responses to the warfare in Ukraine and China’s growing aggression. Whereas the AP4 international ministers had been invited to the assembly, Australia was alone in not attending on the ministerial degree.

The highest of NATO’s agenda this yr is the warfare in Ukraine, and the opposition’s international affairs spokesman has referred to as for Albanese to attend NATO to reveal Australia’s dedication to the rules-based order, its democratic companions, and the protection of Ukraine. Nonetheless, the article notes that the prime minister has a busy journey schedule over the subsequent few months, together with attending the coronation of King Charles III in London in Might.

In conclusion, whereas Australia has been invited to attend the annual NATO summit for the second time as a key associate in Indo-Pacific safety, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese won’t be attending this yr’s summit because of the deteriorating safety state of affairs surrounding Russia’s warfare on Ukraine. This determination has raised questions on Australia’s dedication to NATO and its efforts to deal with conflicts and aggression within the area. Nonetheless, NATO acknowledges Australia’s contribution in supporting Ukraine in opposition to Russia’s invasion, and its invitation to attend the summit is seen as a optimistic indication of NATO’s intent to concentrate on China and Indo-Pacific safety.