(MENAFN) Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have signed a new security agreement that grants Australia access to PNG’s military facilities and personnel, with both countries agreeing to support each other in the event of an attack.

The pact was signed in Canberra on Monday by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PNG Prime Minister James Marape, against the backdrop of China’s increasing presence in the Pacific.

Marape emphasized that the agreement was shaped not by global power competition, but by "geography, history and the enduring reality of our shared neighbourhood."

Under the deal, up to 10,000 PNG nationals will be able to serve in the Australian military, with a pathway available for them to acquire Australian citizenship.

Marape stated that PNG has been "transparent" with China regarding the agreement.

"We have told them that Australia is our security partner of choice and they understand our alliances here... Other aspects of our relations have never been compromised," he said.

Albanese described the agreement as a continuation of a long-standing relationship: "Our alliance is built on generations of mutual trust, and demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the Pacific remains peaceful, stable and prosperous."

"By continuing to build our security relationships in the region, we safeguard our own security," he added.

Known as the Pukpuk Treaty—a reference to the word for "crocodile" in PNG pidgin—the deal is the latest in a series of regional agreements between Pacific nations and larger powers seeking to establish or expand their security presence.

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