Vanuatu cabinet approves revised Nakamal Agreement with Australia

Vanuatu's cabinet has approved a revised version of the Nakamal Agreement with Australia, moving the strategic pact closer to final ratification after months of negotiations.

The updated agreement was signed off by the Council of Ministers on Thursday, according to people familiar with the talks.

It now needs final approval from the Australian government before it can be signed.

The pact is expected to see Canberra invest hundreds of millions of dollars in Vanuatu and strengthen Australia's role as the country's main security partner.

The revised text is understood not to include the same limits on Chinese involvement that had been part of earlier discussions.

The development matters because it comes amid a wider contest for influence in Vanuatu between Australia and China.

Beijing is pursuing its own agreement with the Pacific nation, known as the Namele Agreement.

Prime Minister Jotham Napat pulled out of signing the original Nakamal Agreement in September, saying some ministers in his coalition were concerned it could undermine Vanuatu's sovereignty.

The two leaders met in Port Vila last year.

#Vanuatu #Australia #NakamalAgreement #JothamNapat #AnthonyAlbanese