Australia, Vanuatu to sign revised strategic pact after negotiations

Australia and Vanuatu are poised to sign the Nakamal Agreement, a significant strategic pact, following a protracted negotiation period marked by disagreements over sovereignty and foreign investment.

The agreement, to be signed by Vanuatu's Prime Minister Jotham Napat and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has undergone substantial revisions. Initially planned for a signing ceremony in Port Vila nearly 10 months ago, Napat withdrew, citing concerns about sovereignty. The current version, to be inked in Canberra, is a compromise that scales back earlier ambitions.

A key change involves the removal of clauses designed to restrict Chinese investment in Vanuatu's ports, airports, and telecommunications. The original draft aimed to block "third party involvement" in critical infrastructure that could impact either nation or regional security. While the final agreement's exact wording remains unconfirmed, a Vanuatu government source indicated that the pact still establishes Australia as the primary security and policing partner. This source also suggested Vanuatu would prioritize consulting Australia on critical infrastructure needs, though it's unclear if this is explicitly in the final text.

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the pact being signed today has been watered down from the original Nakamal Agreement

A leaked draft of the revised agreement indicated that Australia would not gain veto power over infrastructure investments. However, Vanuatu would commit to consulting Australia on proposed third-party engagements in its critical infrastructure. The draft also stipulated that such infrastructure must remain free from militarization, foreign interference, or unauthorized access. While the pact recognizes Australia as the longstanding primary policing partner, it does not prevent Vanuatu from maintaining policing ties with China and prioritizes Pacific Island Forum members for policing requests.

The updated Nakamal pact is also expected to reaffirm Vanuatu's existing laws, which prohibit the "militarisation" of its critical infrastructure. A government spokesman confirmed that Australia had finally approved the agreement, with both leaders set to sign it.

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Australia had "finally" given approval to the agreement, and that "as it stands" both leader