PNG and France sign security agreement

PAPUA New Guinea (PNG) and France have signed a security agreement to strengthen cooperation.
The status of force agreement (SOFA) between the PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) and the French armed forces in New Caledonia (FANC) was signed by Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko and French Ambassador Guillaume Lemoine in Port Moresby on Monday.
Lemoine said PNG was the first country in the Pacific to sign a SOFA with France.
“A bilateral security treaty is not on the agenda right now but we want to work together to build our two countries’ relationship and also to strengthen our security with bi-lateral trainings and exercises that will see PNGDF coming to New Caledonia and France coming to PNG for training, exercises,” he said.
FANC head Brigadier General Valery Putz said the agreement would also provide the legal framework of the military cooperation between the two countries.
“New Caledonia will also be hosting the southern cross military exercise next year, that provides training for humanitarian and disaster relief, and the PNGDF will be a part of that exercise,” he added.
The Southern Cross Military Exercise or what is known as Croix Du Sud is held every two years.
A French navy ship that visited PNG this week, is leaving today and will carry out an ‘oil spill’ exercise before leaving the country’s shores.