AUSTRALIA, VANUATU SIGN DELAYED SECURITY DEAL – The agreement was to be signed in September, but was delayed
Australia and Vanuatu on Monday signed a development and security pact that had been delayed for months over Vanuatu’s concerns that it could stifle investment from other countries.
Australia, which is in a battle for influence in the Pacific with China, will be consulted on any third-party investment in Vanuatu’s critical infrastructure and remain the country’s preferred security and policing partner.Canberra has previously unveiled funding of A$500 million ($344.50 million) over 10 years for the pact, known as the Nakamal Agreement.
The agreement was to be signed in September, but was delayed after Napat said his coalition partner had raised concerns that it could restrict Vanuatu’s ability to secure infrastructure funding from other countries.
China is Vanuatu’s largest external creditor, having provided loans through Chinese banks that financed Chinese contractors to build major infrastructure projects, including the presidential office complex, parliament building and road network.
