PNG and Australia sign Pukpuk Treaty communique

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his PNG counterpart James Marape signing the Pukpuk Treaty this morning at the Melanesian House in Port Moresby (Image: Supplied)

Papua New Guinea and Australia have agreed on the text of a Mutual Defence Treaty, called the Pukpuk Treaty, which will be signed following Cabinet processes in both countries.

This announcement was made in a statement, following a bilateral meeting between the Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, and his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, before his departure to Australia this morning.

The signing of the Papua New Guinea-Australia Mutual Defence Treaty or the Pukpuk Treaty, will elevate the defence relationship between Papua New Guinea and Australia to an Alliance.

The two leaders agreed that the core principles in the Pukpuk Treaty, will include; a mutual defence Alliance which recognises that an armed attack on Australia or Papua New Guinea, would be a danger to the peace and security of both countries.

This Defence Treaty also says that there should also be an expansion and modernisation of the defence relationship between the two countries, including the setting out of their shared ambition, to establish a recruitment pathway for Papua New Guinea citizens, into the Australian Defence Force, and the strengthening and expanding defence cooperation, through enhanced capability, interoperability and integration.

The Treaty will also ensure that any activities, agreements or arrangements with third parties, would not compromise the ability of either of the Parties, to implement the Treaty; and reaffirms both countries’ absolute respect for its neighbours’ sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

This alliance will be grounded in 50 years of cooperation as equal partners, which is being built on the unique security relationship between the two countries, as well as a recognition of the sacrifices the people have made for each other.

The Treaty will mark the beginning of an historic new chapter between the two countries, and it will also reflect and deepen the trust they both share with each other, as the closest of neighbours, partners and friends.

Prime Minister Albanese was in the country, to take part in the commemoration of Papua New Guinea's 50th Independence Anniversary.