Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale said the test of a nuclear-capable missile underscored the need for a Pacific-wide regional security pact.
“In many ways the missile test is further evidence for the need for a regional platform, so that the region can speak as one,” he said beside Anthony Albanese at a press conference in Honiara.
“The countries in the Pacific are not all on the same level of strength, and may not want to speak up when things like this happen. But the regional platform will allow cover, and allow for much greater sharing of intelligence and information, so we can be advocating better for Pacific-wide issues.”
Albanese said the government was concerned about the nature of the weapon tested.
“Part of our concern here isn’t just the lack of notice that occurred, it is the fact that this was a test of a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile fired from a nuclear-powered submarine,” he said.
“That is of real concern, because what we need is less nuclear weapons, certainly not more.”
