SYDNEY, July 9 (Reuters) - Trade and security will be priorities for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on a trip this week to meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and attend a NATO summit in Lithuania, Albanese's office said.
Australia is not a member of NATO but has a decades-long relationship with the Western alliance and attended last year's summit in Madrid as a non-member participant.
"Alongside our NATO allies, Australia continues to demonstrate our unwavering support for Ukraine, and our condemnation of Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion," Albanese said in the statement.
Last month, Australia promised a new A$110 million ($74 million) package to Ukraine, including 70 military vehicles to defend against Russia's invasion, taking Australia's total contribution for Ukraine to A$790 million ($530 million).
Also this week, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell will travel to Brussels, seeking to advance stalled talks for a free trade agreement between Australia and the EU.
Persons:
Anthony Albanese, Olaf Scholz, Scholz, " Albanese, Don Farrell, Valdis, Janusz Wojciechowski, Farrell, Sam McKeith, William Mallard
Organizations:
SYDNEY, Australian, NATO, Labor, Atlantic, Organization, Ukraine, Australian Trade, EU, European Union, Reuters, Trade, Agriculture, Thomson
Locations:
Lithuania, Australia, Germany, Lithuanian, Vilnius, Madrid, Russia, Ukraine, Brussels, Sydney