The White House made the statement after US President Joe Biden called Anthony Albanese to congratulate him on winning Australia’s election and stressing the strength of their countries’ alliance.
“President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ strong commitment to the US-Australia alliance and intends to work closely with the new government to make it even stronger,” the statement said on Sunday.
“President Biden expressed deep gratitude for his own commitment to the prime ministerial candidate in the early days of the alliance, which was reflected in his decision to travel to Tokyo almost immediately to attend the Quad summit.”
Biden and Albanese will meet on Tuesday at the Quad summit in Tokyo with the leaders of Japan and India.
The White House praised Mr. Albanese for deciding to take the trip, saying the Quad is “a vital opportunity to exchange views and continue practical cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.”
On Sunday evening, Mr Albanese posted a statement via Twitter.
“It is a pleasure to talk to @POTUS today and confirm the long-standing alliance between our two countries. I look forward to continuing our conversation in Tokyo on Tuesday,” he wrote.
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson has congratulated Anthony Albanese on his victory over Scott Morrison in Saturday’s election.
“Congratulations to Anthony Albanese on his election as Prime Minister of Australia,” Johnson wrote on Twitter.
“I look forward to working with you as we reap the benefits of our comprehensive free trade agreement, the AUKUS partnership and the unmatched closeness between the British and Australian people.”
The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, who had a close relationship with Mr. Morrison, also congratulated Mr. Albanese.
The Solomon Islands also congratulated Mr Albanese on his election victory, saying that much remains to be done in bilateral relations.
In a statement Sunday, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Monaco Sogavar said his nation “remains a loyal friend of Australia and a chosen partner in development”.
The Solomon Islands have been grateful for Australia’s financial, medical and security for many years, he said, adding that “much remains to be done, however.”
Mr Sogavar wrote to Mr Albanese and assured him that “Solomon Islands’ relations with Australia would be taken to another level during Albanese’s stay”.
The recent signing of a security treaty with China by Solomon Islands has been a major election challenge for the outgoing prime minister, Scott Morrison, and Western allies are concerned that it could become a gateway for China’s military presence in the Pacific.
Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama congratulated Mr Albanese on Twitter, writing: “Of your many promises to support the Pacific, none could be more welcome than your plan to put climate first.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she had called Mr Albanese on Sunday and that the two countries would continue to work together, “deepening our partnership with our close friends in the Pacific and advancing our interests on the world stage”.
“Australia and New Zealand Aatearoa are in our power when we work together,” she said.
The Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau congratulated Mr. Albanese and thanked Mr. Morrison for Australia’s past relations with his country.
“I thank former Prime Minister Scott Morrison for his valuable partnership over the years and wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” Mr Trudeau said.
“As the new Australian government is formed, I look forward to working with Prime Minister-elect Albanez to deepen relations between our two countries for the benefit of Canadians and Australians.
“As the Government of Canada continues to work on a new, comprehensive Indo-Pacific strategy, we will continue to strengthen our partnership with Australia while creating economic growth and new opportunities for people on both sides of the Pacific.”
On Monday, Mr Albanese will be sworn in as Australia’s 31st Prime Minister.
The French foreign minister is making the final blow to Scott Morrison
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said he lost to Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Saturday’s federal election “suits me”.
Mr Morrison angered Paris in September by abandoning a multibillion-dollar submarine contract with France in favor of a new deal secretly made with the US and the UK.
“I am completely satisfied with the defeat of the Prime Minister,” said Mr Le Drian.
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“The actions taken at the time they were committed were so brutal and cynical, and I would even like to say about the unequivocal incompetence,” Mr Le Drian said.
“I hope we can resume a sincere and constructive dialogue with Australia in the future,” he told reporters, handing over his successor, Catherine Colonna.
At the time, Mr Le Drian accused Australia of stabbing his back and the United States of treason.
Paris has recalled its envoys to both Australia and the United States because of the furor.
But later President Emmanuel Macron ordered the French ambassador to Washington to return to his post after a call with US President Joe Biden.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/joe-biden-reaffirms-commitment-to-us-australia-alliance-in-congratulatory-phone-call-to-anthony-albanese/epovurjs8
