Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Australian Prime Minister Albanese

The following is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and had a productive conversation that addressed key priorities in the U.S.-Australia bilateral relationship and a range of global and regional issues.

The Secretary and Prime Minister reaffirmed their belief that the U.S.-Australia alliance and partnership serves as an anchor for peace, security, democracy, and stability in the Indo-Pacific.  Secretary Blinken and Prime Minister Albanese shared their confidence that the relationship between the United States and Australia has never been stronger – bolstered by cooperation on key issues such as tackling state-sponsored disinformation, addressing climate change, and bolstering collective security – and based on our shared values of defending freedom and democracy, championing opportunity, upholding human rights, and respecting the rule of law.

Both sides welcomed the progress made, along with the UK, on the AUKUS trilateral security partnership.  Secretary Blinken thanked Prime Minister Albanese for Australia’s steadfast support for Ukraine.  The United States looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Albanese for a state visit later this year.