France continues to have bilateral relations with Fiji

France continues to have bilateral relations with Fiji as it is seen as the hub of the Pacific.

Wallis and Futuna which has a position in the French Senate is also responsible to look at issues and concerns for certain Pacific countries including Fiji, when talks are held in senate.

French Senator Robert Laufoaulu while speaking to the Fiji media group in Paris said they have seen over the past few years after the coup that Fiji plays an important role in the Pacific especially when it resisted pressure from Australia and NZ.

He said Fiji was also exemplary in the way it set up links with China.

Laufoaulu said in a way China was feared before but it seems Fiji is the country that domesticated China in the Pacific region.

The senator said France also observed the Pacific Islands Development Forum meetings after its formation in Fiji, and he said there have been fruitful discussions.

Laufoaulu said military cooperation will continue between France and Fiji.

The French senator also said that the two countries have always had well balanced relations.

More assistance is expected in the areas of education while talks have also been held with New Zealand to assist in the monitoring of the region to address concerns like illegal fishing and drug trafficking.

Laufoaulu said issues like Fiji allowing Kiribati to buy land are also important as climate change is a real issue and hopes are high that the issues will be addressed in the climate change talks, COP21 which will be hosted by Paris.

40,000 people from around the world are expected to attend this conference and the French senator said he knows that Fiji will be an important contributor in this meeting.

He said there is no confirmation as yet on whether Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will attend the meeting.

Laufoaulu also said they were happy that Fiji hosted the Pacific leaders in the meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He could not confirm if French President Francois Hollande will visit Fiji in the near future.

The senator said President Hollande has a visit to French Polynesia in 2015 and may visit Wallis and Futuna later.

If that happens then he may visit Fiji.