vanuatu Minister Defends China Policing Deal,Urges Australia to Understand Pacific Needs
PORT VILA,VANUATU – Vanuatu‘s Minister of Foreign Affairs,jotham Napat,has defended his nation’s pending security agreement with China and cautioned Australia against attempting to dictate Vanuatu’s partnerships,according to reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The comments come in response to recent criticism from Australian Defense Minister Pat Conroy regarding the deal.
Napat stated that Australia was fully informed of Vanuatu’s intentions to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China. “Australia knew very well, and we were up front with them when we told them we are just wanting to sort out the way we manage our relations with our partners, and we are going to sign an MoU (with China),” he said. He indicated the agreement is in its “final status” and will be signed “whenever the two governments are ready.”
The minister also emphasized the differing security priorities between Vanuatu and its conventional partners. He noted Vanuatu’s focus on building police capacity and addressing climate change, stating, “With all the geopolitical games going on in different regions of the world … what their interests are, might not be relevant to us.”
Napat urged advancement partners to engage in direct dialogue to understand Vanuatu’s specific needs. ”Our development partners need to come and sit with us and talk with us so they can fully understand what our needs are,and then we can work together to address the needs which are more relevant to our people,” he said.
The exchange occurs amid ongoing discussions regarding the Nakamal Agreement between Australia and Vanuatu. A planned signing ceremony was postponed prior to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s recent visit,reportedly due to concerns from Vanuatu ministers over clauses restricting investment in critical infrastructure by other nations. Despite these concerns, Napat expressed confidence a deal could be reached. Prime Minister Albanese recently wrote to Napat to discuss progressing the agreement, tho a compromise on the final language remains uncertain.
