Papua New Guinea (PNG) would like to establish a security treaty with Australia as security concerns led by China’s push into the South Pacific continue to grow.
PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Aug. 29 that his country is seeking to negotiate a security treaty with Australia and potentially New Zealand.
Tkatchenko said that he discussed the idea with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong during her visit to Port Moresby on Aug. 29 and 30. He signalled that both governments were willing to move forward with negotiations around a security treaty.
“There were discussions of a treaty going forward between our countries to ensure we are all on the same page when it comes to security in the region,” Tkatchenko told the ABC. “And it will also make us connected in all aspects of anything that might arise now or into the future.”…