Rarotonga, Cook Islands – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Secretary, Ms. Tepaeru Herrmann, met with a visiting delegation from Australia’s Department of Defence ahead of the annual Cook Islands – Australia Defence Cooperation Program (DCP) Talks, set to take place today.
The Australian delegation was led by Dr. Elizabeth Brierley, Assistant Secretary of Pacific Maritime at the Australian Department of Defence, who is supported by Group Captain Andrew Hoffmann, Australian Non-Resident Defence Advisor to the Cook Islands, and H.E. Phoebe Smith, Australian High Commissioner to the Cook Islands.
The discussions focused on the ongoing and strengthened cooperation between the Cook Islands and Australia, particularly through the Pacific Maritime Security Program, which supports the Cook Islands Guardian-Class Patrol Boat (GPB), Te Kukupa II.
"Yesterday’s meeting provided an opportunity to check in with Dr. Brierley following the Cook Islands – Australia Senior Officials Roundtable Discussions held in Canberra at the end of last year. The Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP) remains a cornerstone of the Cook Islands – Australia partnership, with the Te Kukupa Patrol Boat and its Crew serving as a proud testament of this strong partnership. I welcomed Australia’s expression of enhanced support towards our Te Kukupa partnership for 2025 and beyond and we look forward to a positive outcome from DCP talks to take place today," said Secretary Herrmann.
The Cook Islands and Australia are in the process of finalising an Enhanced Pacific Maritime Security Program (EPMSP) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is expected to be signed in the coming weeks. This MoU will strengthen Australia’s support for Te Kukupa II operations and bolster regional security efforts and talks will be led by the Cook Islands Maritime Police Division and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI), Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, and the Ministry of Marine Resources.
Discussions with Dr. Brierley also touched on Cook Islands interest in strengthening bilateral security cooperation initiatives, with Australia noting the increased number of direct flights between the Cook Islands and Australia and anticipated increase in international arrivals from Australia from 2025. “We look forward to continuing to strengthen our bilateral border security cooperation with New Zealand, Australia and neighbouring Pacific countries in close partnership with longstanding regional border agencies like the Pacific Immigration Development Community and Oceania Customs Organisation to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our people."
Also of interest to the Cook Islands is utilisation of the 2022 acquired Australian Defence Vessel for the Pacific – ADV Reliant - for possible deployment support for Cook Islands border security cooperation in 2025, alongside the services of Te Kukupa II.
For enquires related to this release, please email: [email protected]