Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the Australia-Fiji Ocean of Peace Alliance is built on Pacific leaders’ vision for a peaceful and secure region, with Canberra hoping to discuss the initiative with Pacific Islands Forum members during Friday’s ministerial meeting.
Responding to a question on whether the Ocean of Peace Alliance would feature in discussions at the Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting, Wong said the initiative stems directly from Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s vision for the Pacific.
“And you might recall he spoke about it in a number of speeches publicly. Leaders, PIF leaders, Pacific Island Forum leaders, then adopted it,” Wong told journalists in Suva.
She said Australia chose to develop its alliance with Fiji within that regional framework.
“And we have chosen to work within that framework for the alliance between Australia and Fiji.”
Wong described the alliance as a reflection of the close relationship between the two countries.
“These alliances are the greatest act of trust between two countries. They are the greatest act of trust.”
“And they speak to the trust and recognition of each other and that we matter to each other,” she said.
Wong said the agreement is intended to turn Pacific leaders’ vision into practical action.
“The purpose of the alliance is to give effect to and keep faith with and give expression to in a practical way what leaders have said.
“We want this region to be an ocean of peace.”
“We know we live in much more contested times and part of how we respond to that is to have Pacific Island Forum countries work together to maintain security and stability and that’s what this is about,” she said.
Wong said Australia hopes to brief Forum members on the alliance and its objectives during the meeting.
“I hope we have the opportunity to speak with members of the PIF about it so they are aware. I’m sure they already are, but we can talk through with them our vision and our commitments,” she said.
