Australia and Papua New Guinea have postponed signing a major mutual defense treaty, Canberra¡¯s latest stumble as it seeks to counterbalance Beijing¡¯s expanding presence and clout in the Pacific region.
In a joint communique, the two sides said that the treaty, initially expected to be signed Wednesday alongside celebrations for PNG¡¯s 50th anniversary of independence from Australia, would now only be clinched ¡°following Cabinet processes in both countries.¡±
¡°We will go through our respective Cabinet processes and expect to finalize the signing of the treaty, the words of which have been agreed, in coming weeks,¡± Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at a news conference in the Papua New Guinean capital of Port Moresby following the communique ceremony.
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