Australia to attend summit despite controversy over expected participation of Russia’s Putin.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday said he will attend the Group of 20 meeting in Indonesia later this year despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s expected participation.
Albanese arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia’s massive capital, on his first visit after taking office last month.
“… the work of the G20 is critical at this time of global economic uncertainty,” ABC News quoted Albanese as saying during a brief interaction with reporters alongside Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
“I will work closely with President Widodo to help deliver a successful summit. And we discussed that this morning,” he added.
Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison joined other allies in asking Indonesia to not invite Putin in response to Russia’s war on Ukraine.
The G20 summit is scheduled to be held in Bali, Indonesia later this year.
Ahead of his meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Albanese said he wants to deepen his relations with Jakarta.
“As we rode we had a one on one chat about deepening the friendship between Australia and Indonesia and the areas we can strengthen collaboration including climate change,” he tweeted.
The two leaders also posted on Twitter their pictures of riding bicycles in the presidential palace garden.
“I was honored to share a bike ride with President @jokowi through the palace gardens this morning. It was a privilege to have such a personal and enjoyable tour of the magnificent grounds,” Albanese tweeted.
He also promised to allocate $470 million in the next four years for bilateral and regional Overseas Development Assistance programs in South-East Asia, according to the report.
-AA