‘Deep appreciation’: Joe Biden calls Anthony Albanese to congratulate him on election

Joe Biden has called Anthony Albanese to congratulate him on his election victory as Australia’s Prime Minister and discuss a “vital opportunity”.

Joe Biden is one of the latest world leaders to reach out to Anthony Albanese and congratulate him on his election victory to become Australia’s 31st Prime Minister.

The US President called Mr Albanese on Sunday to commend him on the win and underline the strength of their countries’ alliance, the White House said in a statement.

The White House praised Mr Albanese for deciding to make the trip to the Quad group summit in Tokyo where the two leaders will meet on Tuesday.

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US President Biden has put in a call to Albo about his election victory. Picture: The White House / AFP.

“President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ steadfast commitment to the US-Australia alliance and his intent to work closely with the new government to make it stronger still,” it said in a statement.

“President Biden expressed deep appreciation for the prime minister-designate’s own early commitment to the alliance, reflected in his decision to travel almost immediately to Tokyo to attend the Quad Summit.”

This is “a vital opportunity to exchange views and continue to drive practical co-operation in the Indo-Pacific”, the statement added, using the administration’s term for the Asia-Pacific region.

Mr Albanese issued a statement regarding the call via Twitter on Sunday night.

Good to speak with @POTUS today and reaffirm the long-standing alliance between our two countries.

I look forward to continuing our conversation in Tokyo on Tuesday.

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) May 22, 2022

The Quad, comprising Australia, Japan, India and the United States, is a loose grouping established during Washington’s efforts to reinforce its regional leadership and counteract an increasingly muscular Chinese military and trade presence.

Congratulations @AlboMP for the victory of the Australian Labor Party, and your election as the Prime Minister! I look forward to working towards further strengthening our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and for shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific region.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 21, 2022

And as Mr Albanese prepares to travel to travel to Tokyo to meet with fellow Quad leaders, his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, congratulated the prime minister-designate.

It is my great pleasure to collaborate closely with you to further develop 🇯🇵🇦🇺relations, as “Special Strategic Partners” which share universal values, and to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”. I look forward to seeing you in Tokyo soon.

— 岸田文雄 (@kishida230) May 22, 2022

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi – who had a close relationship with Mr Morrison – also had a message for Mr Albanese.

“Congratulations @AlboMP for the victory of the Australian Labor Party, and your election as the Prime Minister!” he tweeted.

“I look forward to working towards further strengthening our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and for shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific region.”

France takes final swipe at Morrison

After Mr Morrison’s relationship with France turned frosty over the axing of the French submarine program for the AUKUS deal, the nation’s outgoing foreign affairs minister Jean-Yves Le Drian made it clear he was glad to see him go.

“I can’t stop myself from saying that the defeat of Morrison suits me very well,” he said at a ceremony in Paris where he handed over to successor, Catherine Colonna.

He said he hoped France “can resume frank and constructive dialogue with Australia in the future” and also noted Mr Morrison’s conduct with the submarine deal was carried out with “brutality and cynicism, and I would even be tempted to say of unequivocal incompetence”.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson meanwhile tweeted his congratulations to Mr Albanese.

“I look forward to working with you as we reap the rewards of our comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, the AUKUS partnership and the unmatched closeness between the British and Australian people,” he wrote.

Anthony Albanese has been elected Australia’s next prime minister. Picture: Wendell Teodoro / AFP.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she had spoken to Mr Albanese before he gave his acceptance speech.

“I spoke to Anthony Albanese … as he was preparing to address his supporters. It was a warm conversation and I’m really looking forward to formally meeting with him soon,” she said in a statement.

“Anthony and I have had the chance to meet before and I have no doubt we’ll have a strong working relationship that will serve both countries well. “Australia is our most important partner, our only official ally and single economic market relationship, and I believe our countries will work even more closely together in these tumultuous times.”

Scott Morrison appears to tear up while addressing Horizon Church after his election defeat. Picture: YouTube/Horizon Church

Ms Ardern said that she also wanted to acknowledge the “strong working relationship” she had with Mr Morrison.

“I would also like to acknowledge the strong working relationship I had with Scott Morrison. I am confident that the close and unique relationship between New Zealand and Australia will continue under Mr Albanese’s leadership,” she said.

“I hope to meet Prime Minister Albanese in the near future, and look forward to working with him on a range of issues including supporting New Zealanders living in Australia, making trans-Tasman business even easier, deepening our partnership with our close friends in the Pacific, and advancing our interests on the world stage.

“Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand are at our best when we work together; when we acknowledge our mutual interests, our shared values and the uniqueness of our perspectives; when we stand united as allies and whānau, recognising the strength in our diversity.”

Thank you @SecBlinken - look forward to seeing you again in Tokyo https://t.co/GIxyqdiW23

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) May 22, 2022

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Mr Albanese and thanked Mr Morrison for Australia’s past relationship with his country.

“I thank former Prime Minister Scott Morrison for his valuable partnership over the years and wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” Mr Trudeau said.

“As the new Australian government takes shape, I look forward to working with Prime Minister-elect Albanese to deepen relations between our two countries to benefit Canadians and Australians alike.

Earlier, Solomon Islands PM congratulated the Labor leader, saying much “remains to be done” in the bilateral relationship, as Pacific Islands neighbour Fiji also welcomed the party’s climate policies.

In a statement, Manasseh Sogavare said his nation “remains Australia’s steadfast friend and development partner of choice”.

The Solomon Islands are grateful for Australia’s financial, medical and security support over the years, he said, adding “much however, remains to be done.”

Mr Sogavare had written to Mr Albanese and “assured him of taking Solomon Islands’ relationship with Australia to another level under Albanese’s tenure”.

Congratulations, @AlboMP! Of your many promises to support the Pacific, none is more welcome than your plan to put the climate first –– our people's shared future depends on it.

With Fiji’s borders open, we hope to host you soon!

— Frank Bainimarama (@FijiPM) May 22, 2022

It is still unclear whether Albanese’s Labor Party will win enough parliamentary seats to form an outright majority, or whether he will have to turn to independents or smaller parties for support.

But “Albo” and key ministers are expected to be sworn in on Monday to be able to attend the Quad summit with Japanese, Indian and US leaders.

Mr Albanese said the summit was “an absolute priority” for Australia and an opportunity “to send a message to the world”.

He said partners overseas can expect wholesale changes “particularly with regard to climate change and our engagement with the world on those issues”.

– With wires

Originally published as ‘Deep appreciation’: Joe Biden calls Anthony Albanese to congratulate him on election