27 Nov 2015

Wallis to join Pacific Leaders Group

3:29 pm on 27 November 2015
Polynesian Leaders Group in Tahiti

The president of French Polynesia, Edouard Fritch addresses the Polynesian Leaders Group in Tahiti. Photo: Supplied

French Polynesia's president says Wallis and Futuna will be integrated into the Polynesian Leaders Group.

Edouard Fritch has told public radio in Paris that the territory will be joining the group when it has its next meeting.

The Polynesian Leaders Group, which was launched in 2012 as a result of a Samoan initiative, has eight members, including four independent countries.

Mr Fritch made the comment at the summit between France and Pacific Island countries - the fourth such gathering.

He also says the next such summit is to be held in Tahiti in 2018.

Mr Fritch also says the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea and above all Samoa support his government's bid for the territory to become a full member of the Pacific Islands Forum.

French Polyneia and New Caledbnia became associate members in 2006 following an initiative launched by the French president, Jacques Chirac, three years earlier.