Australia-Vanuatu Nakamal Agreement Signed

Australia and Vanuatu signed the Nakamal Agreement, a bilateral security and economic treaty, which prevents China from establishing a military base on the South Pacific island nation. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Vanuatu's Prime Minister Jotham Napat finalized the pact after an earlier draft was rejected. Under the agreement, Vanuatu commits to not allowing foreign military bases and to consult Australia on critical infrastructure. Australia will provide financial aid, with the cost to be disclosed by December. Vanuatu is also negotiating a separate 'Namele Agreement' with China for development cooperation, which Napat stated is not a security pact. China expressed concern that the Nakamal Agreement might be aimed at it, while Vanuatu maintains transparency regarding both agreements.