AUSTRALIA, PAPUA NEW GUINEA SIGN ALLIANCE-The Papua New Guinea cabinet has approved the Pukpuk treaty
Australia has signed a new defence agreement with Papua New Guinea today, the first in more than 70 years, as Canberra seeks to block China from expanding its security presence in the Pacific.
Under the Pukpuk defence treaty, which is the first signed by Papua New Guinea, Australia and its northern neighbour are obliged to come to each other’s aid if attacked.
The treaty allows as many as 10,000 Papua New Guineans to serve with the Australian Defence Force, under dual arrangements.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said during a joint press conference with his Papua New Guinea counterpart James Marape in Canberra that both nations have agreed “not to undertake any activities or enter into any agreements that would compromise the implementation of this Treaty.”
“This Treaty was not conceived out of geopolitics or any other reason. But out of geography, history and the enduring reality of our shared neighbourhood,” said Marape, adding that the country retained their relationship with China and other nations.
The Papua New Guinea cabinet has approved the Pukpuk treaty.
