Australia picks ex-premier as its next US ambassador

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Australia announced on Tuesday that it will send two-time premier Kevin Rudd as its next ambassador to the US, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese describing him as the country's "major asset" with an unrivaled experience.

Rudd, 65, brings “unmatched experience to the role,” Albanese said at a news conference, adding that “Kevin Rudd is an outstanding appointment; he brings a great deal of credit to Australia by agreeing to this appointment.”

A Labor politician, Rudd has earlier twice served as prime minister as well as foreign minister of Australia besides working extensively in the US.

“As someone who has links to the global community in Washington DC, he will be a major asset,” Albanese said.

He added that Rudd’s new role, which he is likely to take early next year, will be “seen in the United States as a very significant appointment.”

Rudd, who until recently, served as CEO of Asia Society, said he is “greatly honored” by the Australian government’s decision to send him to Washington as the country’s ambassador.

A critique of former US President Donald Trump, Rudd said: “Australia currently faces its most challenging security and diplomatic environment for decades.”

“Our national interest continues to be served, as it has for decades past, by the deepest and most effective strategic engagement of the United States in our region,” he added.