Canberra, November 10, 2023, The Europe Today: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reached an agreement with his Tuvalu counterpart, Kausea Natano, on Friday to expand relations between their countries amid threats from climate change and China’s influence in the region.
Friday’s deal will give Australia the right to vet Tuvalu’s agreements with third countries while also giving “a guarantee that upon a request from Tuvalu for any military assistance based upon security issues, Australia will be there.”
The agreement will also see 280 Tuvalans granted access to a special visa every year. Those who take up the offer will then be able to send remittances back home.
Natano said his country had called for the treaty to “safeguard and support each other as we face the existence of threat of climate change and geostrategic challenges.”
Tuvalu is one of only 13 countries that maintain an official diplomatic relationship with Taiwan.
Under the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili union, “both countries commit to mutually agree any partnership, arrangement or engagement with any other state or entity on security and defense-related matters in Tuvalu,” effectively making Australia its primary security partner.
