Highlights
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in Cambodia for the ASEAN-Australia assembly and East Asia Summit.
- He’s set to satisfy with Prime Minister Hun Sen and mark the 70th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relationship.
- Over 9 days, Mr Albanese will attend 4 regional summits together with the G20 summit and APEC assembly.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and China’s commerce and safety muscle-flexing will likely be key points for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as he embarks on a nine-day abroad journey.
Peace, stability and safety within the Indo-Pacific will even be entrance of thoughts as he hits the bottom operating in a collection of conferences together with his fellow world leaders.
The prime minister touched down in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh on Friday evening to attend the East Asia Summit and an ASEAN-Australia assembly.
On the summit, Mr Albanese is anticipated to satisfy with the Ukrainian Overseas Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
The prime minister advised reporters in Sydney the results of Russia’s unlawful invasion of Ukraine shaped the backdrop of the summits.
“Not only for human rights and for the tragedies which can be occurring on a day-by-day foundation … but it surely’s having a worldwide affect on the financial system,” he mentioned.
“Inflation is rising right here in Australia, like all over the world, as a direct results of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the stress that has placed on world power costs.
“Russia must get the message that it’s remoted amongst those that help the worldwide rule of legislation and it ought to withdraw.”
Mr Albanese can also be anticipated to satisfy with the summit’s host Prime Minister Hun Sen and mark the 70th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relationship.
Within the night Mr Albanese will attend a gala hosted by his Cambodian counterpart.
He’s additionally anticipated to satisfy with Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister of Laos Phankham Viphavanh in particular person for the primary time.
Mr Albanese mentioned meals safety, local weather change and “strategic competitors within the area” had been essential matters for dialogue.
Work continues behind the scenes on searching for a bilateral assembly with Chinese language President Xi Jinping, who has not had a proper assembly with an Australian chief since Malcolm Turnbull in 2016.
“What I’ve mentioned about China is that we need to cooperate the place we are able to, however we’ll arise for Australian values the place we should,” Mr Albanese mentioned.
“There is not a gathering at this stage locked in, however we clearly will likely be attending the identical conferences … and I might welcome a gathering.”
Mr Albanese mentioned China’s $20 billion in commerce sanctions was impacting not solely Australian exporters however the Chinese language individuals.
“That’s not in Australia’s curiosity by way of our jobs and the financial system, but it surely’s additionally not in China’s curiosity,” he mentioned.
“I am very hopeful we’ll proceed to place our case that these sanctions should not justified, that they should be eliminated.”
Mr Albanese will head to Bali on Monday for the G20 summit earlier than attending the APEC assembly in Bangkok.
Whereas Russian President Vladimir Putin won’t attend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is anticipated to participate nearly.
President Joe Biden will meet the Chinese language president on Monday in Bali.