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RNZI
Fri, 12 Mar 2010
PORT VILA, Vanuatu ---- Vanuatu has told New Caledonia it would support it becoming a full member of Pacific Islands Forum.
The Vanuatu Foreign Minister, Joe Natuman, made this declaration to the President of territorial government, Philippe Gomez, during a recent official visit to Noumea.
Earlier this week Mr Gomes put the proposal to the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Australia’s Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
Mr Natuman, who is also the chair of Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) also said New Caledonian involvement with that organisaton is possible, given the pro-independence FLNKS is now part of the collegial territorial government.
He said the MSG members will discuss the issue during the next leaders summit.
Meanwhile, New Caledonia’s pro-independence FLNKS movement has spoken out in favour of New Caledonia’s bid to be given full membership of the Pacific Islands Forum.
The FLNKS spokesman, Victor Tutugoro, said his movement is in favour of New Caledonia’s government joining regional institutions, including the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)
Mr Tutugoro said the FLNKS, which now has four ministries in the collegial government, is represented in the delegation led by Mr Gomes.
New Caledonia became an associate Forum member in 2005 as part of a drive by the then French leadership to promote the integration of the French Pacific territories into the region.
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UPDATE FROM PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM LEADERS MEETING IN CAIRNS