Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has backed discussions on a Pacific-wide security framework, saying regional security should be driven by Pacific nations as Forum foreign ministers met in Fiji amid growing geopolitical competition.
Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting in Suva, Wong said security and stability would be a key focus of discussions, including proposals led by Solomon Islands for a region-wide security arrangement.
“There are many things we want to discuss, but obviously one of them is how do we make sure that our region remains peaceful, stable and prosperous and how do we ensure the future of the region is determined by the people of the region?
“And one aspect of that is what leaders have said for a long time, which is security should be provided from within the Pacific,” Wong said.
She said Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale had raised the question of how Pacific countries could turn that principle into action.
“What Prime Minister Wale of the Solomon Islands has pointed out is let’s work out how we give effect to that.”
Wong said Australia had already begun strengthening regional security cooperation through agreements with Pacific countries.
“Certainly, we’ve started that through the work we’ve done, our alliances with Papua New Guinea and Fiji and agreements with a number of other countries, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Naoero. But I’m sure those issues will be a point of discussion,” Wong said.
Asked about support for a regional security arrangement, Wong said Australia remained focused on rebuilding trust and strengthening partnerships across the Pacific.
“We’ve been very focused on making sure we engage in the rebuilding of trust and rebuilding Australia’s reputation, strategic position in the Pacific.
“You’ve seen that in the relationships, as I said, with Papua New Guinea and Fiji, agreements with Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Naoero
“And we’ve got more work to do. We’ve announced that we do want to engage with and negotiate with both Tonga and Solomon Islands. Obviously, there’ll be a lot of work there that we want to do with them in partnership,” Wong said.
On China’s intercontinental ballistic missile test last month, Wong said Pacific leaders had already made their concerns clear.
“First, I would make the point that the majority of the Pacific Islands Forum did express concerns over China’s ballistic missile test.”
“And I hope China does take note of the very clear response from leaders and Ministers in the Pacific about that test, which, you know, we’ve been very clear it was a test which was destabilising,” Wong said.
She said Pacific leaders had consistently called for the region to remain an Ocean of Peace.
“And in a region where leaders have said we want an Ocean of Peace, it’s really important that partners respect that and we will continue to encourage that respect.”
Wong said any reference to the issue in the Forum communique would be decided by Pacific foreign ministers.
“In terms of the PIF, that’s ultimately a matter for the Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers. I’m sure it will be discussed today, how people will deal with it and it will obviously be a discussion.
“But I would say to you that I think the Pacific Islands Forum members have already spoken very clearly about this,” she said.
