Albanese to ink fresh Pacific deal on three-day visit
Anthony Albanese is set to sign a new security deal during his three-day Pacific tour.
The Prime Minister will arrive in Fiji’s capital Suva on Sunday, where he is expected to sign the Vuvale Union agreement.
He will then travel to the Solomon Islands to advance negotiations on a new agreement with Honiara.
In recent weeks, the Albanian government has signed a number of security and economic agreements with Pacific Island countries as the diplomatic fight for influence in the region continues.
The $500 million security deal that closes the door to China regarding the establishment of foreign military bases in Vanuatu is the latest of these.
Mr Albanese and Jotham Napat signed the Nakamal Agreement in Canberra on Monday after years of negotiations.
Half a billion dollars will be provided to the Pacific nation “to strengthen Pacific collective security and sovereignty.”
“Vanuatu will not allow its territory to be used for any foreign military bases or infrastructure,” the new agreement states. The statement is included.
Mr Albanese said the agreement also confirmed Australia’s role as Vanuatu’s major economic security and development partner.
Australia is expected to gain momentum with a new Pacific agreement, advancing negotiations on an agreement with Honiara and signing an agreement with Suva.
Mr Albanese will meet with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, along with Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and the pair are expected to leverage the Vuvale agreement to strengthen economic ties and security cooperation between the countries.
Next on the agenda is a meeting with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale, building on talks held in Canberra in June.
Mr Wale, who is also chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum, has signaled his country will review the controversial policing agreement signed with China in 2022.
He also called for a Pacific-wide security agreement, which he said the government was open to pursuing.
Mr Albanese said Australia remained a partner the Pacific could rely on.
“By working together, we can foster a safe and resilient region that will enable all our economies to grow and thrive,” he said on Friday.
Senator Wong said the government would act on the Pacific track in line with its Pacific priorities.
“A stronger, more secure and sovereign Pacific is good for Australia and our region,” he said.
