Port Moresby, January 30, 2024 – PNG is proud of its long-term agreement with traditional partners like Australia and will continue to maintain that bilateral relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Justin Tkatchenko MP says.
Minister Tkatchenko made these remarks to put on record PNG’s ongoing partnership with Australia in the area of security following reports of a potential security deal with China.
Minister Tkatchenko added that the A$200 million historical Security Agreement to build capacity in the area of internal security, is an indication of the partnership that PNG has built and maintained over many years.
“Australia is our closest neighbour and a traditional security partner,” he said.
“We have a bilateral security agreement with Australia, especially in Internal Policing and Capacity Building and we will maintain that going forward now and into the future.”
The agreement between the Government of Australia and Papua New Guinea which was signed last year, is a framework for closer security relations.
The agreement will enable the parties to maintain and strengthen their cooperation on Common Security interests in Defence, Police, Law and Justice Sector, National Security, Border, Maritime and Aviation Security, Critical Infrastructure, Cyber Security, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, Climate Change and the Environment, Violence Against Women and Children, Health Security, Biosecurity, Information and Assessment Exchange; and Cooperation on Regional and United Nations-Authorised Police and Peace Keeping Operations.
The agreement enables the parties to support each other for partnership and mutual benefit, respect, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence and non-interference in their international affairs.
Under the agreement, both parties would ensure that their respective national interests are served by a strong and enduring bilateral partnership and coordination with other trusted security partners.
It would enable the parties to also recognise the strategic importance of PNG’s stability and its effect on the region, and the need to enhance and maintain PNG’s strategic capabilities to contribute to internal, bilateral and regional security.
The agreement also recognises the value of Australia and PNG contribution to regional security and commitment to transparency, consistent with the parties’ treaty practices.
It provides a framework for deepening and expanding bilateral cooperation between the parties across a range of traditional and non-traditional security priorities of mutual interest, enhancing capabilities, building capacity, building and improving security infrastructure, addressing gaps and reducing limitations to effective actions.
The agreement also enables deepening of the security partnership between the parties to improve and protect each other’s sovereignty and contribution to Pacific-led regional security and stability.
Minister Tkatchenko emphasised on the importance now to implement this agreement in all security sectors for immediate benefit of both countries.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs will work with other departments and state agencies in charge of implementation of this bilateral Security Agreement,” he said.
“This is to ensure that successful outcomes are achieved and maintained for a long-term relationship between both countries.”
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