Macron to host Forum leaders in December

1:54 pm on 7 November 2017

The French Polynesian president Edouard Fritch says Pacific island leaders are to be hosted by the French president Emmanuel Macron next month.

Mr Fritch said talks with Mr Macron in Paris on Monday also included discussion on France's nuclear test legacy.

President Macron of France hosts French Polynesia's Edouard Fritch

President Macron of France hosts French Polynesia's Edouard Fritch Photo: Presidency of French Polynesia

Mr Fritch said he suggested to the French president that he meet some of the Forum members attending the COP23 talks in Germany.

Mr Fritch said the Pacific leaders were keen to learn what is being done after the COP21 talks in Paris two years ago.

On nuclear compensation, Mr Fritch said Mr Macron agreed that it was not normal that so few victims of the French nuclear weapons tests had been compensated.

He said Mr Macron was in favour of French Polynesian members joining the parliamentary commission on compensating victims.

Mr Fritch said France will cede the former navy command site in Papeete for a memorial to its Pacific nuclear test programme.

He also said Mr Macron confirmed that the commitments made by his predecessor in the Elysee Accord, re-affirming French Polynesia's ties to Paris, would be honoured.

Mr Macron has reportedly said he might visit French Polynesia in the latter part of next year.

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