World leaders react to Albo win; Jacinda Ardern details first call to new PM
World leaders have continued to react to Anthony Albanese’s election win with Joe Biden getting on the phone to the PM-elect and Justin Trudeau offering his congratulations.
US President Joe Biden has called Australia’s incoming prime minister Anthony Albanese to congratulate him on his election victory and underline the strength of their countries’ alliance, the White House said.
The two leaders will meet tomorrow at the Quad group summit in Tokyo and the White House has praised Mr Albanese for deciding to make the trip.
“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 on Sunday local time.
“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.
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.
Mr Biden’s congratulations came as world leaders continued to react to Australia voting out Scott Morrison in favour of Mr Albanese as the country’s 31st Prime Minister.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also congratulated Mr Albanese on his election victory.
Mr Blinken issued the brief statement “on behalf of the United States.
“I congratulate Prime Minister-Elect Anthony Albanese on his victory in the May 21 Australian federal election,” he said.
“Australia is a vital ally, partner, and friend of the United States. For more than seven decades, our alliance has been a force for good in the world, and we look forward to the next 70 years.
“Together, the United States and Australia will continue to work shoulder-to-shoulder to advance security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and around the globe.”
The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, and the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, were among the first world leaders to congratulate Mr Albanese.
Mr Johnson pointed to the free trade agreement and the Aukus partnership as the basis for an ongoing relationship when he tweeted his congratulations.
“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.
Congratulations @AlboMP on your election as Prime Minister of Australia.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) May 21, 2022
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.
🇬🇧🇦🇺
In an editorial, British newspaper The Sun said that Australia had elected “anti-Queen left wing PM Anthony Albanese who tried to remove monarch as head of state”.
“The 59-year-old had previously threatened to crumble the Commonwealth, sharing his desire to get rid of Her Majesty,” it said.
Mr Modi tweeted his congratulations, accentuating his wish for the continuation of key security agreements ahead of a meeting of the Quad on Tuesday.
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
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted his congratulations to Mr Albanese, saying, “Our countries are close friends – and I’m looking forward to building on that with you, he moving forward with progressive ideas, tackling climate change, and delivering results for people in both our countries.”
Congratulations, @AlboMP, on being elected Prime Minister of Australia. Our countries are close friends – and I’m looking forward to building on that with you, moving forward with progressive ideas, tackling climate change, and delivering results for people in both our countries.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 21, 2022
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 didn’t hold back in rubbing it in.
“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 “brutality and cynicism, and I would even be tempted to say of unequivocal incompetence”.
Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama also tweeted his “Congratulations” to Australia’s new leader.
“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!”
Meanwhile, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare also offered his congratulations to Mr Albanese.
He said the election victory signified that the people of Australia embraced Mr Albanese’s vision, policy frameworks and the direction he espoused for Australia and more broadly in relation to Australia’s neighbours in the region and internationally.
“I write on behalf of my Government and the People of Solomon Islands to convey to you, your government and the people of Australia my sincere congratulations on your election victory as the 31st Prime Minister of Australia to lead Australia into the future,” Sogavare said in a statement.
Mr Sogavare said the Solomon Islands remained “Australia’s steadfast friend and development partner of choice.”
“We remember with gratitude and acknowledge with appreciation Australia’s tremendous assistance to Solomon Islands over the years, in particular, during the period of our ethnic unrest when your government and your country together with members of the Pacific Islands Forum assisted us to get back on our feet,” he said.
He acknowledged the Australian Government’s support to the Solomon Islands in its fight against Covid-19 including during the outbreak of community transmission earlier this year.
“My government and people are forever grateful to you, the Government and People of Australia for the generous support, financially and in-kind during and after these testing times. Much however, remains to be done,” he said.
ALBO’S FIRST CALL WITH ARDERN
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she spoke to Mr Albanese before he gave his acceptance speech, congratulating him on his win, while also acknowledging Mr Morrison.
“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.”
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.”
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