Papua New Guinea (PNG) has approved a mutual defence treaty with Australia in a major step forward for the landmark security deal.

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape announced in a statement on Thursday that his government cabinet had given its approval of the deal, and praised the “elevated” ties with Australia.

“This reflects the depth of trust, history, and shared future between our two nations,” Marape said in a statement.

The Pukpuk Treaty was originally set to be signed in September to coincide with Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary of independence, but Marape’s cabinet failed to reach a quorum.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on social media that he looked forward to signing the treaty and establishing a “formal alliance” with PNG.

The text of the

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