The French President, Jacques Chirac, has suggested the French Polynesian president's call for independence would not be supported by the majority of French Polynesian people in the long-term.
Mr Chirac did not meet one-on-one with Oscar Temaru, who favours independence in free association with France.
Each side blamed the other for missing a scheduled meeting in Paris.
Jacques Chirac had been speaking in Paris at a summit attended by delegations from all 16 Pacific Forum countries, says France is itself a Pacific nation and it belongs in the region.
France is encouraging greater regional co-operation amongst Pacific Island states.
Mr Chirac also says he welcomes the accession of New Caledonia and French Polynesia as associate members of the Pacific Islands Forum, and Wallis and Futuna as an observer.
The French government has vowed to continue funding through bilateral agreements and contributions to the European development fund.
He says for the five years from 2008, the payments are scheduled to rise to over 35 million US dollars a year.
Mr Chirac also mentioned stability in Solomon Islands as a concern.
France has not sent troops or police to the Solomon Islands intervention force.
