Australia proposes landmark initiative in the Pacific, Papua New Guinea responds, many countries find it "confusing"

On August 28, Papua New Guinea (PNG) voiced its support for the idea of establishing a multinational police force in the Pacific . This is considered a landmark proposal from Australia.

Flags of Pacific Islands Forum member states hang outside the conference center in Tonga during the event from August 26-30. (Source: AFP)

“We support this initiative,” PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko told AFP as regional leaders met in Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), which runs from August 26 to 30.

He also affirmed that PNG, one of the largest members of PIF, would “work with Canberra to implement the proposal”.

Under the Pacific Policing Initiative, a multinational force from across the Pacific Islands would come to Australia for training, and could then be deployed to regional “hotspots” and disaster areas as needed.

However, the Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) reported that many Pacific leaders were wary of Canberra's "incomprehensible" initiative.

They also expressed concern that the initiative could be seen as aimed against China and create the perception that they are choosing sides in the ongoing great power struggle between the world's second-largest economy and the United States.

“We need to ensure that this initiative is built to suit our purposes, and not developed to suit the geostrategic interests and security views of major partners,” Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai told Pacific leaders.

Regarding the Pacific, on the same day, in his welcoming message to the 9th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), which will take place from September 3-6 in Vladivostok, Russia, President Vladimir Putin affirmed that Moscow is ready to dialogue with all partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

Emphasizing the growing role of Asia-Pacific in international affairs, Mr. Putin said that the region is creating many new opportunities for cooperation, especially within the framework of multilateral organizations such as the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS group of leading emerging economies.

President Putin stated: "Russia is committed to active cooperation to build a more just and democratic system of international relations, not subject to imposition, coercion and sanctions, but based on true equality."

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/australia-neu-sang-kien-buoc-ngoat-o-thai-binh-duong-papua-new-guinea-huong-ung-nhieu-nuoc-thay-kho-hieu-284125.html