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US, Papua New Guinea Sign Security Agreement

by VOA News

   The United States and Papua New Guinea signed a security agreement that
   includes giving U.S. forces access to the Pacific nation's waters and
   ports.

   The agreement comes amid a U.S. focus on the region and concern about
   China's influence.

   The U.S. State Department said the pact would boost Papua New Guinea's
   defense forces, enhance security cooperation and increase regional
   stability.

   U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed the agreement during a
   ceremony in Port Moseby.

   "Our two countries are promoting peace, security, and prosperity in the
   Pacific region," Blinken tweeted after meeting with PNG Prime Minister
   James Marape.

   Blinken visited Papua New Guinea in place of U.S. President Joe Biden,
   who canceled what would have been the first visit by a sitting U.S.
   leader to a Pacific Island country because of ongoing negotiations to
   avert a debt crisis at home.

   Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence
   France-Presse and Reuters.