The Pacific Islands Forum is underway with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese soon to attend. But in a blow for regional unity - Kiribati - has pulled out ahead of the crucial meeting. ShubaSKrishnan
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will attend the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji this week alongside the leaders of Australia's nearest neighbours.The Pacific Islands Forum is the chance for Australia to join with its nearest neighbours and invest in diplomatic relationships considered crucial to its standing in the region.
Mr Albanese has said he believes Pacific leaders have welcomed his government’s more ambitious approach to the issue, compared with its predecessors. “As we know there are plenty of people in the Pacific that think what we’ve seen from Australia is a good start but there’s still a long way to go,” she said.
Ahead of the forum, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has said Australia is committed to bringing new energy and resources to strengthening our Pacific family.She's also previously described her new government’s attempts to enhance ties in the region as a partnership that “doesn’t come with strings attached”.
These fears were realised through Solomon Islands signing of a security agreement with Beijing in April this year, despite the Pacific nation denying it's a move towards militarisation.
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