Anthony Albanese has condemned North Korea’s firing of a missile as leaders gather for the NATO summit in Lithuania, where the war in Ukraine and its affect on global security is the focus.
Mr Albanese and the leaders Chris Hipkins of New Zealand, Fumio Kishida of Japan and Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea have been invited to the summit as NATO plans to open an office based in Tokyo.
The four held a meeting on the sidelines on Wednesday, just as North Korea conducted its first intercontinental ballistic missile test in three months.
The missile flew about 1000km before landing in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, according to South Korean and Japanese assessments.
Mr Albanese condemned the North Korea action, saying it showed the importance of like-minded countries to co-operate.
“Australia is here because we understand that in today’s interconnected and globalised world, what occurs in NATO countries also has an impact on the Indo-Pacific,” Mr Albanese said.
“We’re reminded of the interconnectedness around the world with the once again, egregious launch of an ICBM by North Korea.
“Australia condemns North Korea for once again breaching UN rules, by breaching the international rule of law, and with once again a provocative action, and we stand particularly with our friends in South Korea at this time.”
It’s the second time the so-called Indo-Pacific Four have attended the summit of the North Atlantic military alliance.
He will meet with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday night.
“This NATO summit comes unfortunately, with the land war in Ukraine continuing. Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion continues to have a devastating impact on the people of Ukraine,” he said.
“But it also has an impact on the economies around the world with higher inflation, with cost of living pressures and with food security becoming an issue as well.
“It is a reminder of why we need to be engaged and to shape the future, rather than allow it to shape us, and that is why Australia is here.”
Mr Albanese arrived in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on Tuesday night, where he was welcomed by NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg.
Mr Stoltenberg thanked Mr Albanese for Australia’s support for Ukraine in the war against Russia.
“To me that really demonstrates your personal commitment to the partnership between Australia and NATO, a partnership we really value because … regional security is global,” he said at day one of the summit.
“What happens in Europe matters for the Pacific. This is demonstrated by the ongoing war in Ukraine which has global ramifications.
“We are extremely grateful for Australia’s support for Ukraine, your military support, your economic support, it really makes a difference every day.”
With AP
More to come