Mr Albanese and EU President Ursula von der Leyen met to attempt to resurrect the stalled free trade agreement. Photo: Anthony Albanese Facebook.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese returned to Australia overnight from a week-long overseas trip – his first since retaining government in the 3 May election.
The Prime Minister visited Indonesia, the Vatican and Singapore on his whirlwind trip and met with several world leaders while in The Vatican for the Papal Inauguration of Pope Leo XIV.
In Indonesia Mr Albanese met with President Prabowo Subianto to discuss trade and regional security, which came just weeks after Russia had reportedly requested the use of an Indonesian airbase just 1200 km from Darwin as a staging point for military missions in the region.
“I chose Indonesia as the destination for this first visit very consciously – just as I did after the 2022 election,” the PM said.
“The relationship between Australia and Indonesia is so important. Important for our defence and security, important for our economic future, and important for the region.
“I am proud of the enduring friendship between our two nations and look forward to working closely with my friend President Prabowo on our shared priorities across security and defence, trade and investment and more.”
At the Vatican, Mr Albanese attended the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV and was subsequently granted a private audience with the new Pope and presented him with an artwork by noted South Australian artist and Ngarrindjeri woman Amanda Westley.
The PM also invited the Pope to visit Australia for the International Eucharistic Congress in Sydney in 2028.
While in Rome, Mr Albanese also met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss ongoing and, so far, fruitless efforts to get Russia to agree to a ceasefire in the ongoing war.
“I assured President Zelenskyy of Australia’s ongoing and steadfast support for Ukraine,” he said. “Australia will continue to stand by Ukraine.”
He also held meetings with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in an effort to resurrect stalled free trade agreement negotiations between Australia and the EU, especially in light of US President Donald Trump’s ongoing disruption to world trade through the imposition of and subsequent changes to tariffs.
“We have so much in common as Australia and Europe,” he said during his opening remarks in his meeting with Ms von der Leyen.
“We have common support for market-based systems, but also common views about human rights. We stand together with the people of Ukraine in the struggle against Russian aggression and we stand together on so many issues, including on the potential for us to further entrench our, or extend, our economic relationship through trade.”
In response, and perhaps as a subtle dig at the US President, Ms von der Leyen described Australia and Europe as “reliable” and “predictable” partners.
“We share the same values as you just said, so we can offer to each other stability and we’re very grateful for that,” she said.
“And this is the reason also that we do not only see you as a trading partner, but we see you as a strategic partner, and we would very much like to broaden this strategic partnership.”
Mr Albanese also held formal and informal meetings with other world leaders attending the inauguration – including new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney who was re-elected in March – but was unable to meet with US Vice President JD Vance.
On his way home from Rome, Mr Albanese had a stopover in Singapore where he met with his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong.
“During the stopover in Singapore, I met Prime Minister Wong following both countries’ recent elections,” Mr Albanese said.
“Australia’s prosperity and economic future are linked with Southeast Asia. I look forward to further discussing with Prime Minister Wong my government’s focus on expanding Australia’s comprehensive strategic partnership during our Annual Leaders’ Meeting later this year.”
