The Defence Department has been unable to confirm reports today Australian warships will be denied access to waters around the Solomon Islands after a ban on visits by foreign navy vessels.
Royal Australian Navy vessels were part of the ban on foreign naval ships, News Corp reported today
The Solomon Islands has asked countries to not send naval vessels to the South Pacific nation until approval processes are overhauled, amid concerns over a new security pact between the Solomons and China.
The government made the request after the US Coast Guard cutter Oliver Henry and the British navy patrol boat HMS Spey cancelled planned port calls last week due to bureaucratic delays.
An Australian Defence Department spokesperson could not confirm to 9News if Australia had been requested to halt naval visits.
“Diplomatic clearances for visiting foreign vessels are a matter for the Solomon Islands Government,” they said.
“Australia values our position as Solomon Islands’ first security and development partner of choice.
“Australia and Solomon Islands have a long and deep history of engagement in the maritime sector, and we are committed to working together to support Solomon Islands maritime security needs and the collective security of our Blue Pacific.”
Earlier this week, the Solomons Island government issued a statement saying: “We have requested our partners to give us time to review and put in place our new processes before sending further requests for military vessels to enter the country.”
Australia, the US and Britain are among countries concerned that a new security pact with Beijing could lead to a Chinese naval base being constructed less than 2000 from Australia’s northeast coast.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said the new processes for visiting foreign naval ships would apply universally to all nations.
Defence Minister Richard Marles was also unable to confirm whether Royal Australian Navy ships were now banned from the Solomon Islands.
“Ultimately those decisions are a matter for the Solomon Islands government,” he told the ABC.
“I’m confident that if we put in the work as a nation, we will be the partner of choice for Solomon Islands and we are putting in that work,” Marles said.
Asked if he had sought clarification from the Solomons, Marles said there were “ongoing conversations” with Honiara.
– Reported with Associated Press
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