Papua New Guinea and New Zealand have committed to deeper defence cooperation, particularly in the maritime domain.
The two countries have signed a statement of intent on defence cooperation for the next three years.
The statement, signed in Port Moresby by New Zealand’s Defence Minister Chris Penk and his PNG counterpart Elias Kapavore, notes an intensifying geostrategic environment in the Pacific.
It affirms that PNG will first seek support from the Pacific Islands Forum in times of crisis, including a security threat.
The agreement commits to expand joint maritime operations, and the deployment of assets to undertake surveilance activities in PNG waters.
It is also set to increase defence dialogue, training exercises and personnel exchanges between the two forces.
New Zealand’s Defence Force had most recently come to PNG’s aid during Cyclone Maila.
The statement of intent comes two weeks after PNG’s Pukpuk Treaty with Australia came into force, establishing a formal defence alliance that allows Papua New Guineans to enrol in the Australian Defence Force.
