Defense Secretary Austin says the U.S. is not seeking permanent basing on the island—but to 'make sure we strengthen PNG's ability to defend itself and protect its interest.'
July 27, 2023, 1:20 PMUS Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a press conference with Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape in Port Moresby, on July 27, 2023.met with Papua New Guinea's top leaders on Thursday
Austin is the first U.S. defense secretary to visit Papua New Guinea and his trip is an indication of the focus the U.S. is now placing on building relationships in the region in the wake of a security agreement that China worked out last year with the neighboring Solomon Islands. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is accompanied by John Akipe, Papua New Guinea’s defense secretary, and Win Bakri Dali, Papua New Guinea’s defense minister, in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on July 27, 2023.The agreement, which is awaiting ratification by Papua New Guinea's government, would last 15 years and would, officials say, reinforce ties between the militaries of both countries, increase training opportunities for Papua New Guinea's defense force with U.S.
"They have no issue whatsoever with us signing with U.S., and they're mindful of the fact that some shared values we have with U.S. that [are] not shared with other nations of the world and for defense cooperation," Marape said Thursday. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a press conference with Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape in Port Moresby, on July 27, 2023.Prior to his meeting with Austin, Marape told reporters that his country could work with both nations and that it did not have to pick one over the other.
While Austin is the first defense secretary to visit Papua New Guinea, Marape noted that he is actually the second member of his family to visit the island: Austin's father, also named Lloyd, had served in Papua New Guinea during World War II.
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