Australia and Papua New Guinea announced on Thursday they will commence discussions regarding a comprehensive defense treaty. Although the two countries currently maintain a defense cooperation agreement, Australian defense minister Richard Marles stated that the talks aim to enhance collaboration between their armed forces.
Marles, speaking alongside Papua New Guinea's counterpart Billy Joseph, expressed that the treaty would facilitate closer integration and interoperability between the defense forces of both nations. This initiative is part of a series of agreements Australia has either signed or intends to sign with Papua New Guinea, amidst China's efforts to increase its presence in the region.
"We have many friends, but with Australia, we are tied to the hips, we are very close," Joseph remarked.