Vanuatu open to signing deal with Australia but will not be subject to bullying' from larger countries

"Vanuatu remains open to signing a wide-ranging deal with Australia but must assert its sovereignty and will not be subject to pressure or bullying from larger countries, the country's internal affairs minister, Andrew Napuat, said. Australia failed to seal the $500m Nakamal agreement in Port Vila last month amid concerns from Vanuatu that it would block other countries providing infrastructure funding. Weeks later, Vanuatu said it planned to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deepen policing cooperation with China."

"While Napuat said the two deals were separate, the stalled Nakamal pact and Australia's recent failure to sign a defence treaty with Papua New Guinea have dealt a blow to Canberra's efforts to push back on Beijing's influence in the Pacific. In an interview with the Guardian, Napuat acknowledged Australia's role as a major player in the Pacific region but stressed that this big partner must also respect the wishes of smaller nations like Vanuatu."

"These days are over, he said. We want the agreement to genuinely represent what we envision for our people tomorrow. This is the primary reason why the Nakamal agreement has been delayed. Napuat did not provide details of Vanuatu's specific concerns. But he said leaders were working to ensure the agreement truly portrays what we believe is best for our people and not an indirect statement of neocolonialism which could negatively impact our people in the future."

Vanuatu remains open to a wide-ranging partnership with Australia but insists on asserting sovereignty and will not accept pressure or bullying from larger countries. Negotiations over a proposed $500m Nakamal agreement in Port Vila stalled amid concerns that the pact could block other countries from providing infrastructure funding. Vanuatu announced plans to sign a policing cooperation memorandum of understanding with China. The stalled Nakamal agreement and Australia's recent failure to secure a defence treaty with Papua New Guinea have weakened Canberra's effort to counter Beijing's influence. Vanuatu leadership seeks agreements that genuinely represent national interests and avoids neocolonial impressions, while remaining prepared to sign when satisfied.

Read at www.theguardian.com