Australia and Fiji to sign Vuvale Union treaty

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese landed in Suva yesterday evening to sign the Vuvale Union treaty with Fiji today. The pact is described by officials as a step up from existing defence arrangements and will commit both countries to work together on shared security threats.

The final text has not been released. A Fiji government source told the ABC that both sides made serious promises that would create an alliance, though the exact commitments remain unclear. Fiji's defence minister told the ABC the treaty would expand current cooperation, including intelligence sharing and the use of Australian defence assets in efforts against drug trafficking.

Regional schedule After the signing, Albanese will travel to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for Independence Day events and a meeting with its prime minister. Last month Australia and the Solomon Islands announced they would begin negotiations on a new treaty.

On Wednesday Albanese will meet the prime ministers of Papua New Guinea and Tonga in Brisbane. The leaders are expected to mark the entry into force of the Pukpuk Treaty between Australia and Papua New Guinea and to sign agreements on spending roughly $200 million for grassroots rugby league programs.

Broader context The diplomatic activity occurs as Australia continues efforts to expand its security and development ties in the Pacific. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government is working to achieve transformational breakthroughs that would shape a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

After the Pacific meetings, Albanese will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Melbourne. The two countries plan to sign defence and security cooperation agreements and to finalise arrangements for Australian uranium exports to India. An Australian government spokesperson said authorities place the highest priority on protecting visiting dignitaries after reports of an online threat against Modi.