Australia and Vanuato agree on a safety and commercial deal worth $ 328 million

Australia and Vanuato agreed on a 10 -year deal, aimed at strengthening security and economic relations, at a value of $ 500 million (328 million dollars; 241 million pounds).

Leaders’ leaders from both countries said on Wednesday that the alleged Nakamal Agreement – the result of the most famous negotiations – will turn Australia’s relationship with its neighbor in the Pacific.

“We are a family,” said Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, adding, “Our future is linked to each other.” The leader of Vanuato Gotham described the deal as the “victory situation” for both countries.

The deal, which is officially signed in September, comes at a time when Australia is trying to develop its influence in the region, to meet the increase in spending and power in China.

While the Australian government did not provide further details about the deal, the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) stated that it will provide money to create two large -headed data centers, Port Villa, and the largest island in Vanuatu, Santo.

Millions will also be poured into the low island in dealing with the effects of climate change, as well as building its security.

In the early stages of the negotiations, the visa -exempt travel was discussed for Vanuao citizens and was considered a major part of the deal. However, the media reported on Wednesday that this issue will be covered in a “sub -” agreement, which was not confirmed.

It is not clear what Vanu’u gave it, if any, Australia as part of the deal.

A similar agreement in 2022, after the former Prime Minister of Vanuato withdrew at the last minute due to security concerns, according to ABC.

At a press conference on the side of a volcano on the island of Tana, one of the 80 plus in the vanuato archipelago, Marles emphasized the “common destiny” of the two countries.

“(The deal) acknowledged that we, as neighbors, have a common security environment and adhere to each other,” he said.

The Australian Foreign Minister added that the deal was about the long -term future.

Benny Wong said: “The most important thing (about the deal) is the place where we will be (in) three, five and ten years.”

The Prime Minister in Vanuao Nabat said that the agreement will bring “many major benefits between the two countries, whether the security agreement and the economic transformation, with some of the specific focus on the transfer of mobile workers and financial support.”

The Vanu’u deal for this week comes after Australia has signed similar agreements with many of its other Pacific neighbors in recent months.

Canberra concluded a new security deal worth $ 190 million with the Suleiman Islands last December, with similar agreements, however Tofalo and Papua New Guinea.