ALBANESE made a short stop in Fiji on his way back from San Diego where was warmly received by Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
A ceremonial welcome was held on behalf of the Albanese as the people of Fiji listened to his priorities for their country.
Rabuka expressed his support towards the multi-billion dollar AUKUS deal after Albanese gave assurance that Australia’s plan to purchase the nuclear submarines would not undermine the Treaty of Rarotonga, which declares that the South Pacific is a nuclear weapons-free zone.
Besides regional security, both leaders also discussed the ongoing issue surrounding climate.
Meanwhile, Albanese responded to former Prime Minister Paul Keating’s criticisms regarding the AUKUS plan and for labeling Defense Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong as “seriously unwise ministers” during a recent National Press Club event held in Canberra.
The Australian Prime Minister fired back at his predecessor for issuing very strong personal statements toward the two ministers. He also expressed his “utmost respect” for Keating’s leadership during the 1990s and emphasized that the world had changed since then.
“I think it is unfortunate that Mr. Keating chose such very strong personal statements against people, I don’t think that does anything other than diminish him, frankly, but that’s a decision that he’s made,” said Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia.
In a recent panel interview, Albanese refused to answer whether the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal was a sign Australia is preparing for a looming war in the region but said it is constructive to make sure that the country has the best defense capacity.
Albanese visited Fiji as part of a major diplomatic effort to reassure neighboring countries in the Pacific after the AUKUS deal raised concerns it could trigger a regional arms race.
