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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to seal a major new security pact with Fiji on Monday, the first move in a three-day diplomatic blitz aimed at boosting regional ties and countering China’s influence in the Pacific.
Albanese landed in Suva on Sunday night to sign the new “Vuvale Union” with Fijian prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who leads one of the Pacific’s most populous nations.
He will head to the Solomon Islands on Tuesday to drive forward negotiations on a new comprehensive treaty with recently elected prime minister Matthew Wale.
Wale, who is also chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, last month vowed to review the country’s controversial security agreement with China and promised a “reset” in the relationship with Australia after years of tension and distrust.
Albanese’s round of Pacific security talks will continue on Wednesday when the leaders of Papua New Guinea and Tonga visit Brisbane for the State of Origin decider. Ahead of the match, Albanese will hold bilateral meetings with each of the leaders to discuss regional security, trade and economic growth.
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