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Albanese wraps up global trip, with defence, global security and AUKUS as major points of discussion with world leaders.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has finalised conversations with Sir Keir Starmer, as his official visit to the UK concluded on Monday.
Wrapping up his global trip, which saw the PM speaking at the United Nations in New York City and meeting with King Charles III in Scotland, defence and global security were high on the list of priorities.
Prime Minister Albanese said that collaborative efforts with senior members of the UK government allowed him to flesh out the intricacies and specifics of how AUKUS will work in action. At a press conference in Abu Dhabi on Monday, he reflected on the UK visit, saying he was “really able to take up the invitation” and “pursue discussions about AUKUS”.
Reaffirming commitments to the AUKUS partnership at a UK Labor conference where Albanese vowed to “defend democracy itself”, Prime Minister Starmer stressed the role of Australian and UK defence relations to help the everyday Aussie and Brit alike.
“Albo and I are actively working together to make our world more secure and to improve the lives of people in our countries, from our AUKUS partnership to the Australian soldiers who are standing shoulder to shoulder with British troops training Ukrainians for the front line.”
Before departing the UAE on Tuesday, the PM added that there remains “support” for AUKUS as the US continues its review of the defence deal amid US President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda.
“We know that AUKUS is in the interests of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. It is about a partnership, which is in the interest of all three nations, which will make peace and security in our region so much stronger,” he said.
Talks of the ongoing war in Gaza were also on the table following Prime Minister Albanese’s recognition of a Palestinian state last week in New York.
When asked what Australia’s role is in the “progress towards a two-state solution” following meetings with global leaders, the PM said, “Australia has done our part to recognise Palestine, along with other countries, it was a part of our pursuit of peace”.
Prime Minister Albanese said the trip was important to promoting Australian interests, saying “when I engage … it’s about Australian jobs. It’s about making a difference. What happens in the world matters”.
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine led directly to an increasing cost on supermarket shelves in Australia.
“That’s why the pursuit of peace and the engagement that I had, once again with Prime Minister Starmer, who, along with President Macron, has played a critical role in the Coalition of the Willing, has been very important as well,” he said.
