The recently elected leader of Tuvalu, Feleti Teo, is requesting “assurances” from Canberra that a significant agreement with Australia will not compromise his country’s independence.
Last month, Teo became the leader and disclosed to the Guardian that a disputed security clause in the Falepili Union agreement has caused concern among Tuvaluans that Australia could potentially infringe on their sovereignty.
In late 2023, a treaty was signed stating that the Pacific nation of Tuvalu must obtain mutual consent from Australia for any partnerships or arrangements concerning security and defense matters with other countries. This clause essentially grants Australia the authority to veto Tuvalu’s involvement in such agreements, amidst a fierce rivalry for influence in the Pacific region.
“That clearly suggests that Tuvalu is relinquishing its autonomy to determine its chosen security arrangement,” stated Teo, expressing his disappointment with how hastily the previous administration had agreed to the deal with Canberra.
Teo has requested that the Australians consider an agreement that does not involve revising the treaty, but still ensures the sovereignty of Tuvalu remains intact. However, Teo did not specify what type of “guarantee” should be included in this arrangement.
The extensive agreement, sealed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and former Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Kausea Natano, includes a unique opportunity for up to 280 Tuvalu citizens annually to relocate to and work in Australia.
Teo, a previous lawyer for the Tuvalu government who played a vital role in creating the agreement, expressed that he believes it would have been beneficial to have more time for public input on the terms of the treaty. Because of this, he announced that the government will be starting a campaign to clarify the complexities of the deal to the country.
He mentioned that there was no public involvement in the negotiation of the treaty, causing disapproval from the people when it was released. He also stated that he had voiced his worries to Australian officials during their recent visit.
“He stated that we are enacting an instructional campaign to familiarize the Tuvaluan community with the full scope of the agreement.”
Teo stated that his government will not make any changes to the deal but will address concerns about sovereignty. He mentioned that if they decide to directly change the treaty, it will be a lengthy process. However, they will explore alternative options that will ensure the sovereignty of Tuvalu remains intact without revising the treaty.
A representative from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia stated that the agreement “acknowledges that Tuvalu’s status as a nation and their authority as a sovereign country will remain intact.”
Australia has been looking to strengthen their security alliances with multiple countries in the Pacific region, which is believed to be a reaction to China’s efforts to establish bilateral agreements regarding law enforcement and territorial access in the area. In 2019, China and Solomon Islands entered into a partnership that included cooperation on police matters as part of their broader strategic relationship.
According to James Batley, a policy expert on Pacific issues at the Australian National University and a previous representative to Tuvalu, due to the current geopolitical climate, there is a stronger push for Australia to ensure security guarantees while engaging in talks with Pacific countries.
According to Batley, Australia believes that the choices made by Pacific island governments can impact Australia’s national security. The “Falepili treaty” provides Australia with assurance that Tuvalu will not act in a way that goes against their national interests, due to the special status granted to Tuvalu through this treaty.
The increasing influence of China in the Pacific region gained attention once again during the recent elections in Tuvalu. Unlike most countries, Tuvalu maintains official diplomatic relations with Taiwan instead of China. Many were speculating that a new leader might prompt a reassessment of this foreign policy.
According to Teo, some other Pacific nations have been shifting back and forth in their recognition of Taiwan and China. However, he firmly denied any rumors that his government would follow suit. He also stated that he has not been contacted by Chinese representatives before or after being elected.
“I am facing more urgent development challenges at the moment,” stated Teo. These include improving medical and educational services to the remote islands of Tuvalu. “In my opinion, these issues take precedence over spending time and energy on engaging in the China discourse.”
The government of Tuvalu considers the climate crisis to be of utmost importance and has faced criticism for not advocating for more stringent targets for reducing emissions in its agreement with Australia. Along with other countries in the Pacific, Tuvalu is advocating for a worldwide treaty to limit and eventually eliminate the production of fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal.
When questioned about whether Tuvalu’s new government would request Australia halt any upcoming projects related to fossil fuels, Teo expressed satisfaction with Albanese’s promises on climate change that were discussed in their recent phone conversation.
He stated that since it was his initial discussion with the prime minister of Australia, he accepted at face value that the Australian government is dedicated to decreasing their emissions.
“I will simply observe their actions and hope that they align with their level of dedication.”
Source: theguardian.com
