Australia signs long-awaited Vanuatu security deal
Australia and Vanuatu have signed a watered-down security agreement with China as the struggle for influence in the Indo-Pacific continues.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Vanuatu counterpart Jotham Napat signed the Nakamal agreement in Canberra on Monday.
It solidifies Australia as the Pacific nation’s primary police partner.
“Our agreement reflects and confirms Australia’s role as Vanuatu’s largest and most comprehensive economic security and development partner, a responsibility we take seriously,” Mr Albanese said.
“This agreement asserts the consensus that security is the shared responsibility of the Pacific family… and outlines Vanuatu’s sovereign decision not to allow its territory to be used for any foreign military bases or infrastructure.
“The Pacific is our home, and together with Vanuatu, we want a resilient, sovereign and connected region that will benefit us all.”
According to the agreement, critical infrastructure in Vanuatu will not be militarized.
The move comes after Port Vila withdrew from the agreement in September due to concerns by some ministers about the agreement’s impact on Vanuatu’s sovereignty.
Mr Napat said the agreement strengthened ties with the Pacific region.
“Today marks an important step in the Vanuatu-Australia relationship,” he said.
“With the signing of the long-awaited Nakamal agreement, Australia and Vanuatu have become close neighbors and reliable partners.”
Mr Albanese is expected to travel to Fiji and the Solomon Islands in a few weeks to advance negotiations on a deal with Honiara and sign an agreement with Suva.
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