Papua New Guinea's cabinet has approved a landmark defence treaty with Australia, clearing the way for the agreement to be signed as early as next week.
The deal, known as the Pukpuk Treaty — after the pidgin word for crocodile — commits the two nations to "act to meet the common danger" in the event of a military attack on either country, and allows the reciprocal recruitment of soldiers.
The approval comes after Prime Minister James Marape returned from recent meetings without signing the agreement, fuelling speculation about delays. On Thursday, reports confirmed his cabinet had endorsed the treaty, with political considerations previously holding up its passage.
In a statement, Mr Marape said the treaty was "not just about maintaining barracks and boats," while revealing plans for as many as 10,000 Papua New Guinean citizens to serve with the Australian Defence Force.
He said it would operate "as a foundation for the next chapter of PNG's history," arguing it would strengthen the country's security and defence capacities.
"We are investing in both hardware and software for defence so that we can effectively police our borders and safeguard our nation," he said.
"Australia is our foundational relationship country.
"Now this treaty elevates our relationship to the highest level, where force synergies, and capacity development for interoperability is reached."
An Australian Government spokesperson told the ABC the treaty "puts our relationship with PNG on the same level as we have with the United States and New Zealand and builds on the already strong bonds between our defence forces, our economies and our people".
On Thursday morning, PNG Defence Minister Billy Joseph took to Facebook to post: "Peace must be achieved through strength. No nation must be at its knees begging for mercy when it comes to matters of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Military strength is achieved through conscious investment in our Defence Forces balanced by our strategic security alliances."
"The Marape Rosso Government is committed to securing our nations' independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity; by deliberate investment in our own national security apparatus; especially in PNGDF; and entering into strategic alliances for mutual defense, building defense capacities and capabilities; and bring socio economic benefits to our people," he added.
Mr Marape had stressed the Treaty idea came from Port Moresby, not Canberra. "It was not Australia's proposal. Australia never asked for this. I want to say thank you very much, my brother," he said last month.
He added the treaty would be part of a wider program of cooperation.
"Part of this constructed defence treaty is not an isolated defence treaty program, working with our police, working with our judiciary, working with full government of the law and justice sector. In the next 10 years, we want to deliver PNG a safer country for all the children of this country to be safe," Mr Marape said.
Mr Marape is expected to attend the NRL Grand Final in Sydney on Sunday, raising expectations that the agreement will be formally signed during his visit.
