Australia is working to finalise a new security treaty with the Solomon Islands within months, following Australia’s recent defence agreement with Fiji.

According to AAP Newsroom, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived in Honiara on Tuesday and was welcomed by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale, with the two leaders holding talks shortly after his arrival.

During the meeting, Mr Albanese said both countries had more work to do together, including progressing a comprehensive treaty between the two nations.

“We will task our ministers to continue to do work on that and hopefully to conclude that by the end of the year,” Mr Albanese said.

Mr Wale said he was pleased to welcome Mr Albanese to Solomon Islands shortly after his own visit to Canberra in early June.

The discussions come after Australia signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance with Fiji, a major defence agreement aimed at strengthening security cooperation in the Pacific.

Australia has also recently expanded its regional partnerships through the Nakamal Agreement with Vanuatu and the PukPuk Treaty defence partnership with Papua New Guinea.

Source: AAP