Australia and Tuvalu strike new security deal that eases the tiny nation’s sovereignty concerns

By ROD McGUIRK
Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia has struck a new security deal with Tuvalu after critics complained that a previous pact created an Australian veto power over any other agreement the tiny South Pacific island nation pursued with a third country, such as China. Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong committed to a new memorandum of understanding on Thursday that addresses  sovereignty concerns. Teo’s predecessor struck a landmark treaty agreement in November last year that offered Tuvaluans resettlement in Australia to escape rising seas. The treaty also gave Australia a veto power over any security or defense-related agreement Tuvalu wants to make with any other country, including China.