Albanese is expected to hold separate meetings with several world leaders while in Vilnius,including Stoltenberg,French President Emmanuel Macron,Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa and British PM Rishi Sunak.
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Stoltenberg welcomed Albanese’s personal commitment to an enhanced relationship with NATO,saying it was “a partnership we really value”.
“Security is not regional,security is global. What happens in the Indo-Pacific matters for Europe,for NATO;and what happens in Europe matters for the Indo-Pacific,” he said.
“This is demonstrated by the ongoing war in Ukraine. We are extremely grateful for Australia’s support for Ukraine ... it makes a difference every day.”
On Monday,he that China was “learning from Moscow’s military failures” and the reactions of the international community over the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In a piece published byForeign Affairs,the NATO boss said Beijing was “watching to see the price Russia pays,or the reward it receives,for its aggression”.
He said the military alliance “does not see China as an adversary” but urged Beijing to intercede with Moscow to end the conflict in Eastern Europe rather than “increasing its economic,diplomatic,and military cooperation with Russia.”
Shortly before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022,Moscow and Beijing agreed to a “no limits” partnership. Beijing has refused to condemn the Kremlin’s invasion,but has cautioned against the dangers of nuclear conflict.
In an apparent reference to China’s pledge to bring Taiwan under central control,Stoltenberg said:“The Chinese government’s increasingly coercive behaviour abroad and repressive policies at home challenge NATO’s security,values and interests.”
Following a meeting with his German counterpart,Olaf Sholz,Albanese said an increased German presence in the Indo-Pacific would help support rules-based democratic order in the region to help counter China’s rising assertiveness,while providing an economic boost to Australia through jobs and investment in clean energy.
“I sent a message,which is that democratic nations and friends,such as Germany,are always welcome to participate and to engage in our region,” he said.
“Because we have such common values,values of support for democracy,values of support for and respect for sovereignty,and for multilateralism through forums. Values which are consistent,as well,with regard to our economy.
Scholz said he was “really moved” by Australia’s latest contribution and the “massive support” made by many countries who were not immediate neighbours or members of the European Union.
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“We are partners in our different international forums,and I am really moved and this is a very important step and a good one,” he said.
Late on Monday evening (Berlin time),NATO announced Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan had agreed to support Sweden’s membership of the military alliance,paving the way for the Nordic country to join the 31-member bloc after more than a year of opposition from Ankara.
Erdogan’s decision to lift his veto,after a last-ditch meeting with the leaders of Sweden and NATO on Monday evening,came after the Turkish president linked his support for Stockholm’s accession to Turkey’s long-stalled EU bid.
The lifting of Erdogan’s veto opens the way for Turkey’s parliament to approve Sweden’s entry into the US-led military alliance,a step seen as critical to increasing the defence of Eastern Europe in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.