PNG Seeks Pact with Australia & ‘Potentially' New Zealand on ‘All Security Aspects in the Region’

Tensions have grown in the Pacific islands ever since China forged a security pact with the Solomon Islands in April 2022, with former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison calling the alleged construction of a Chinese naval base on the islands a "red line" for Canberra and Washington.

Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko has revealed that his country hopes to negotiate a security treaty with Australia to build a deeper defense relationship.

"There were discussions of a treaty between our countries to ensure we are all on the same page when it comes to security in the region. And it will also make us connected in all aspects of anything that might arise now or in the future," PNG's Foreign Minister was quoted by ABC as saying.

According to Tkatchenko, the putative pact would cover “all security aspects in the region," adding:

"I would say New Zealand would be a major part of it as well, in our region. It would be a joint treaty to work on security. A treaty between our traditional partners in the region will just help ensure security for all countries."

No clarity has been offered yet as to whether the treaty would be a binding one or some sort of a broader informal agreement.

"[This] has yet to be confirmed and finalized, it still has to go through the appropriate procedures and departments such as Defense, the Prime Minister's [department] and others, to come to a complete understanding of that arrangement. It's not all in black and white yet. But it was put on the table and it's something that will be considered."

According to the Foreign Minister, the two countries would discuss the proposal at the PNG-Australia Ministerial Forum scheduled to take place in November in the Australian capital Canberra.

Australia's Defense Minister Richard Marles also confirmed on ABC radio that his country’s closest northern neighbor had proposed a security treaty between the two countries, saying:

"We have been making it really clear we want to be as close to PNG as we can be. We want to build on the already close military-to-military relationship that we have with Papua New Guinea, which we see as one of the most important military-to-military relationships that we have."

Marles indicated that the expanded Lombrum naval base on PNG would be a key asset for both countries' military forces. Last year, an Australian company was awarded a contract worth an estimated $175Mln to redevelop the base on Manus Island. At the time, the commander of Papua New Guinea's Defense Force (PNGDF), Major General Gilbert Toropo said China's growing presence in the region presented "a challenge" for PNG. However, his comments about China were quickly dismissed by James Marape, PNG's Prime Minister.

"I do not perceive China as a security threat, but rather as an important development, investment and trade partner with shared values conducted under mutual friendship and understanding," Marape said.

Australia has also penned an agreement to contribute to the funding of the rebuilding of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force air wing.

When asked about the possible security pact with PNG, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized that there had only been "very, very early discussions" with Tkatchenko.

"We obviously … discussed some of the items contemplated under [our partnership], which include discussions about security, but we have a long way to go. It's a new government, and we want a list of what Papua New Guinea's priorities are," she said, referring to the newly elected PNG government led by Marape.

Pacific Challenges

Talk of a pact comes amid increasing tensions in the Pacific islands after China signed a security treaty in April with the Solomon Islands, which has maritime borders with PNG and Australia.

Despite the Chinese Foreign Ministry repeatedly denying it has any intentions to set up a military base on the islands, the US and Australia have voiced their concerns about the issue.

Some analysts cited by ABC suggested that talk of a security pact between Port Moresby, Canberra and, possibly, Wellington, was triggered by increasing anxiety about the implications of the Solomon Islands-China security deal “on PNG’s doorstep".

China also signed 52 bilateral economic-focused "cooperation outcomes" in May and June when Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited more than a dozen Pacific nations. The moves prompted the US and its allies to unveil the 'Partners in the Blue Pacific' initiative in June as a means to counter China's increasing presence in the region.

Tkatchenko rejected suggestions that a new defense agreement with Australia might anger Beijing or the Solomon Islands, saying:

"It is our sovereign right to enter treaties with anybody that we feel is appropriate and we feel is right and for the good of the country. For us, the last thing we want to do is cause problems and issues between our friends. China is a strong economic partner and friend to Papua New Guinea and we will continue with that relationship," he told ABC.