“Prime Minister and Minister responsible for His Majesty’s Armed Forces meets French Minister of Defence”

2 October 2023

Paris, France, 2 October,2023:- The Prime Minister and Minister responsible for His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku had a bilateral meeting with Mr. Sébastien Lecornu, the Minister for the French Armed Forces, on Monday 2 October 2023 at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence, Paris.

This high level meeting between the Defence Ministers is to discuss matters of interest for the Tonga- France Defence Cooperation and also the upcoming South Pacific Defense Ministers Meeting later this year in New Caledonia.

The Prime Minister acknowledged assistance provided by France through humanitarian assistance and support to Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai disaster recovery operation and direct support to His Majesty’s Armed Forces particularly in training and capacity building.

Issued by the: The Prime Minister’s Office, P.O. Box 62, Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Tel: (676) 7401351 Fax: (676) 23 888; For media enquiries- Email: pmopressroom@gmail.com Website: www.pmo.gov.to

Minister Lecornu reaffirmed their commitment to provide further support in the area of climate change and disasters responses, illegal unreported unregulated (IUU) fishing, information sharing and capacity building in relevant areas mutually identified as priorities for both Governments and Armed Forces.

The meeting was also attended by Hon. Tiofilusi Tiueti, Minister for Finance, Mr. Siaosi Kiu Tu’ivakano from the Tonga High Commission responsible for France and officials from both governments.