The Australian government announced on Tuesday that Albanese will not attend the summit in Washington from July 9 to 11, which marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949, Xinhua news agency reported.
Albanese was invited to the meeting along with the leaders of Japan, South Korea and New Zealand, but the government said on Tuesday that Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles would represent Australia at the summit.
Marles' spokesman said in a statement that he would advance Australia's security, economic and trade agenda at the summit.
Nine entertainment newspapers reported that Albanese declined the invitation to focus on domestic policies.
Albanese was invited to the meeting along with the leaders of Japan, South Korea and New Zealand, but the government said on Tuesday that Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles would represent Australia at the summit.
Marles' spokesman said in a statement that he would advance Australia's security, economic and trade agenda at the summit.
Nine entertainment newspapers reported that Albanese declined the invitation to focus on domestic policies.
