Australia and Fiji signed a landmark defence alliance on Monday, committing each country to come to the other's aid if either is attacked. The Ocean of Peace Alliance marks Fiji's first-ever alliance.
The Pacific nation will become Australia's fourth formal ally, after the United States, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
The defence pact comes as China expands its economic influence and deepens security ties in the Pacific. It also follows Australia's recent security agreement with Vanuatu, under which Canberra will remain the country's preferred security and policing partner.
Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said the agreements marked "a very significant elevation" of bilateral ties into a new era of strategic partnership.
Australia and Fiji also signed the Vuvale Union, expanding economic and security cooperation between the two countries. It would be backed by A$1 billion ($692.7 million) in Australian investment over the next decade, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
"The Ocean of Peace Alliance introduces mutual defence obligations, and there's no higher obligation than to come to each other's aid at a time of need," Albanese said in a joint news conference with his counterpart Rabuka in the Fijian capital Suva.
"An attack on Fiji from an outside force would trigger Australia's full support for Fiji and for its sovereignty," Albanese added.
Rabuka said he did not expect China to object to the agreements, despite Beijing's previous criticism of Australian security deals in the Pacific.
"It does not threaten Fiji's relationship with China nor Australia's relationship with China," Rabuka said.
"We have made it very clear in the past, your enemies are not necessarily my enemies."
The treaty text said other Pacific countries could be invited to join if they can "further the purposes and principles" of the treaty and contribute to the security of the Pacific.
New Zealand would be interested in joining the agreement, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Monday.
Albanese will visit the Solomon Islands on Tuesday to meet his counterpart Matthew Wale, where he is expected to continue discussions on a comprehensive strategic treaty.
Uzbekistan captain Eldor Shomurodov has been shortlisted for the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament award at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with his strike agai...
Iran will halt its own attacks as long as the United States maintains its pause on strikes, but Tehran remains sceptical of U.S. intentions, a senior ...
Firefighters battled on Sunday to contain wildfires threatening the outskirts of Bordeaux, as authorities expanded evacuation orders and warned the bl...
Russian authorities said 11 people, including four children, had been killed by Ukraine in an overnight attack on a holiday camp, accusing Kyiv on Saturday of deliberately targeting civilians.
The U.S. military said it completed a fresh wave of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, marking the 13th consecutive night of American attacks. The latest operation lasted more than two hours, according to U.S. Central Command.
Six candidates vying to become the next United Nations Secretary-General have called for restoring the organisation's credibility, strengthening multilateralism and reforming the UN, during the first public town hall debate ahead of a decisive Security Council vote next week.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 25th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto recently offered the dismissed Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Mykhailo Federov an adviser role in Italy.
Uzbekistan captain Eldor Shomurodov has been shortlisted for the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament award at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with his strike against DR Congo named among the competition’s 12 best goals. The nomination places the Uzbek forward alongside some of world football’s biggest stars.
Firefighters battled on Sunday to contain wildfires threatening the outskirts of Bordeaux, as authorities expanded evacuation orders and warned the blazes were spreading rapidly during an intense heatwave across southern Europe.
Rescue teams were searching on Sunday for 17 people still missing after a Vietnamese cargo ship sank in the South China Sea, with 45 crew members rescued since the vessel sent out a distress signal the previous evening.
A Romanian F-16 fighter jet pilot shot down a Russian drone over the Black Sea, the defence ministry said on Sunday. It was the latest in a series of airspace breaches by Russia that Romanian President Nicușor Dan called “inadmissible and intolerable.”
More than 16,000 people have been evacuated from their homes to safety in eastern Spain after a fast-moving wildfire in Castellón province spread beyond the capacity of firefighters to contain it.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment