The full text of the Ocean of Peace Alliance (Veitacini Treaty) has been released, outlining a strengthened security partnership between Fiji and Australia that includes commitments to cooperate on defence, consult during security crises and respond to armed attacks within the Pacific.
The treaty, signed by the two countries this week, sets out a framework for closer bilateral and regional security cooperation while reaffirming respect for each nation’s sovereignty and domestic decision-making processes.
Under Article 4 – Cooperation, Fiji and Australia commit to continuous cooperation to help one another maintain and strengthen their individual and collective capacity to protect their sovereignty and deter or resist external threats and armed attacks.
The treaty states that both countries will work together to build capabilities aimed at safeguarding their national interests and contributing to regional security.
Article 5 – Consultation requires the parties to consult whenever requested if a security-related development threatens the sovereignty, peace or stability of either country.
The provision says the two governments will consider whether measures should be taken in response to the identified threat, creating a formal mechanism for dialogue during periods of heightened security concern.
In Article 6 – Mutual Defence, both countries recognise that an armed attack on either party within the Pacific would endanger not only their own peace and security but also the wider security of the Pacific region.
The treaty declares that each country would act to meet the common danger, with any response to be undertaken in accordance with its respective domestic laws and constitutional processes.
The agreement also provides for closer military cooperation through Article 7 – Visiting Forces, under which Fiji and Australia will develop and maintain bilateral and multilateral visiting forces agreements and other arrangements needed to support activities undertaken under the treaty’s cooperation, consultation and mutual defence provisions.
The Ocean of Peace Alliance, also known as the Veitacini Treaty, is intended to deepen security cooperation between Fiji and Australia while reinforcing their shared commitment to maintaining peace, stability and sovereignty across the Pacific.
