Australia, Papua New Guinea sign mutual defence treaty

"that the treaty was drawn up out of geography, history and the enduring reality of our shared neighbourhood. list of 4 itemsend of list It is about one bigger fence that secures two houses that has its own yard space, Marape said, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). The Papua New Guinean leader disagreed that the pact was drawn up due to broader geopolitical issues, in an apparent reference to the military interests of countries like China and the United States in the Pacific region."

"Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the treaty makes very explicit that there will be interoperability between the two neighbouring countries' defence assets, adding that our greatest asset is our people. The ABC reported that this meant the two countries would share the same rights as current members of the Five Eyes agreement, which Australia shares with Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the US."

"Marape's office said last week that the agreement will create a path for 10,000 Papua New Guineans to serve in the Australian Defence Force, as his country also aims to build up its own defence force to 7,000 troops. Papua New Guinea has a population of some 12 million people, of which about 40 percent live below the poverty line, in stark contrast to its richer neighbour, Australia."

Australia and Papua New Guinea signed the Pukpuk mutual defence treaty in Canberra, with the agreement text to be released soon. The treaty is presented as rooted in geography, history and a shared neighbourhood and is characterized as one bigger fence that secures two houses while preserving separate yard space. The pact rejects geopolitics as its motivation and emphasizes maintaining broad friendships and advocacy for peace. The treaty commits to interoperability between neighbouring defence assets and grants Five Eyes-equivalent rights. The agreement creates a pathway for 10,000 Papua New Guineans to serve in the Australian Defence Force and supports PNG building a 7,000-strong defence force. Papua New Guinea has roughly 12 million people, with about 40 percent living below the poverty line.

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