Anthony Albanese is moving to lock in a security pact with Fiji, as well as resuscitate a security deal with Vanuatu two months after negotiations collapsed during his visit to the Pacific Island nation.
The PM is looking to build on a “watershed” defence agreement with Indonesia that analysts say has reshaped power relations in Asia, and has struck a positive tone on the prospect of avoiding conflict with China over Taiwan.
In an interview from his Kirribilli residence, Albanese told this masthead that progress was also being made on a long-delayed trade deal with the European Union, coming off the back of an export tie-up with the United Arab Emirates struck last month.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the flight deck of HMAS Canberra in Sydney, where they announced a defence pact last week. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
The PM failed to sign the Nakamal agreement when he visited Vanuatu in September, but on Friday said he was working hard to conclude the deal and revealed he had a productive conversation with Fijian leader Sitiveni Rabuka on Thursday. Australia is pushing for treaties with both nations in a contest with China to win over Pacific nations.
Fresh from a deal with Australia’s populous and increasingly influential near-neighbour, Indonesia, Albanese declared his government had done “substantially more” to nourish relations with allies and build new security ties during a period of anxiety over the contest between China and the US.
Read more from our chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.
