FIJI has become more militarily integrated with Australia after the two countries signed a new defence alliance aimed at “preserving peace” in the Pacific.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed the “Ocean of Peace Alliance”, also referred to as the “Veitacini Treaty”, expanding military cooperation and introducing a collective defence commitment between the two countries.
The treaty includes Article 6 (Mutual Defence), which states that an armed attack on one party will be regarded as a threat to both, with each committing to act to meet the common danger.
The provision raised questions about whether the agreement could affect Fiji’s sovereignty by increasing its defence obligations alongside Australia, but Mr Rabuka rejected those concerns, saying Fiji’s sovereignty remains protected under international law and through its existing regional partnerships.
“I believe our sovereignty is secure,” he said.
“Our relationship is based on understanding, on dialogue rather than disputes. We will not take our differences to weapons.
“We will come to the conference table and work through that way to ensure that our sovereignty is respected.”
The treaty also comes amid growing strategic competition in the Pacific, prompting questions over whether the agreement is intended to counter China’s expanding influence in the region.
Mr Albanese dismissed that suggestion also, saying the alliance was not directed at any one country but instead formalises decades of defence co-operation between Fiji and Australia.
“This alliance is about elevating what is a long history of defence co-operation,” he said.
“So this builds on the work that we’ve done over a long period of time, standing side-by-side in peacekeeping missions.
“This is about our relationship, but elevating it to the highest possible level of an alliance.”
Both leaders insisted the agreement will strengthen regional security while protecting Fiji’s sovereignty.
