Albanese to sign 'Vuvale Union' treaty with Fiji amid regional tour

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is poised to sign a major new treaty with Fiji, the "Vuvale Union," during a busy week of regional diplomacy. Landing in Fiji's capital, Suva, Albanese will meet with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to formalize the agreement, which follows closely on the heels of the Nakamal Agreement with Vanuatu.

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Both countries had made 'serious' promises to one another under the pact, which they said would create an 'alliance' between the two countries.

While the full details of the treaty remain undisclosed, a Fiji government source described it as creating an "alliance" with "serious" promises exchanged between the two nations. The exact commitments are yet to be clarified, but Fiji's Defence Minister, Pio Tikoduadua, indicated it represents a "step up" from current defense arrangements. He noted that Australia and Fiji are already collaborating on intelligence sharing and utilizing Australian defense assets in the war on drugs.

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The treaty would represent a 'step up' from current defence arrangements, and that Australia and Fiji had agreed to work together to meet common threats.

Prime Minister Rabuka has previously stated that the pact recognizes intertwined interests and affirms that both countries will "act together as is necessary to face common challenges." Australia is expected to increase security and development support for Fiji under the treaty, which Rabuka believes will foster "greater integration" and create "new economic opportunities and linkages."

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Recognises our interests are intertwined and decisions taken by one affect the other and affirms the two countries will 'act together as is necessary to face common challenges'.

Following the treaty signing, Albanese will make a brief stop in the Solomon Islands to attend Independence Day celebrations and meet with Prime Minister Matthew Wale. Discussions are expected to include negotiations on a new treaty between the two nations and the Solomon Islands' push for a regional security pact, as Australia competes for influence in the Pacific.

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Set a bold plan for greater integration and create 'new economic opportunities and linkages' between the countries.