VANUATU and France will begin first round of resumed negotiations on the outstanding issue of maritime boundary delimitation and sovereignty over two islands.
The announcement was made this week after a successful round of negotiations in France over Vanuatu’s new Airbus A220 aircraft.
Matthew (Umaenupne) and Hunter (Leka) lie within Vanuatu’s Tafea Province but France claims ownership of the uninhabited islands.
The islands have remained high on the list of bilateral issues outstanding between France and Vanuatu.
A joint communique issued by Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat and French President Emmanuel Macron signalled the leaders’ intent to settle the issue.
“PM Napat and President Macron have agreed to maintain an open and constructive dialogue, aiming for an amicable resolution to the sovereignty over the two islands,” the joint communiqué said.
“The leaders have instructed their negotiating teams to engage in discussions as soon as possible, with the first round of resumed negotiations to be held in Port Vila after the festivities this autumn and the second round in France before the end of the year.