Hon Prime Minister meets with French Vice-Admiral Laurent Lebreton

24 October 2023

Nuku’alofa- The Prime Minister, Honourable Hu’akavameiliku held a bilateral meeting with the French Vice-Admiral Laurent Lebreton at his office this morning.

In his capacity as Minister responsible for Defence, the Hon Hu’akavameiliku acknowledged all the assistance by the French Army Forces in New Caledonia when the country suffered from the devastating impact of Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruption and ensuing tsunami in 2022.

Hon Hu’akavameiliku mentioned the Tonga-French cooperation including the Exercise Croix du Sud, a biannual military exercise where HMAF committed a patrol boat, one platoon infantry and staff officers; Exercise Ecuador; Junior Leader Training for Infantry Junior and Commando Training with French Armed Forces.

French view of security is important to be considered in the region as it is something unique

France will host the South Pacific Defence Ministers Meeting(SPDMM) 2023 in New Caledonia and Tonga will attend and support the initiatives of the SPDMM.