Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected an invitation to the upcoming NATO summit in Washington. The Australian government announced on Tuesday that Albanese would not be able to attend the summit, slated for July 9-11, as it marked the 75th anniversary of the military bloc. According to Xinhua news agency, the summit commemorated the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization back in the year 1949.
It will also be attended by top leaders, including hosts Anthony Albanese of Australia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. An announcement released by the government, however, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles would represent Australia at the meeting. Speaking in relation to security, economic, and trade matters relevant to Australia, the Office of Defence Minister Richard Marles says in its statement, "He will pursue the interests of security, economic, and trade matters relevant to Australia at the meeting.
Reports by Nine Entertainment newspapers cited that Albanese had declined the invitation to focus on domestic policy priorities.
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