After a false start and years of negotiating, Australia and Vanuatu have signed the long-awaited Nakamal agreement following a meeting in Canberra between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Vanuatuan counterpart Jotham Napat on June 29.
Albanese travelled to Port Vila in September last year hoping to secure sign-off on the $500 million (US$345 million) agreement, only to return empty-handed after members of the Pacific nation’s cabinet raised concerns about a perceived loss of sovereignty and fears the deal would prevent China from funding infrastructure projects.
That was despite Napat saying it was a “win-win” just a month earlier.
Then Vanuatu warned Australia to respect a pending policing agreement with Beijing, which is also keen to cement ties with a country that offers it a strategic advantage….
Australia and Vanuatu Seal Landmark Security and Economic Agreement
