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

The Prime Minister’s Office reported, this meeting, the Defence Ministers discussed matters of interest for the Tonga-France Defence Cooperation, and also the upcoming South Pacific Defence Ministers meeting, to be held later this year in New Caledonia.

Hon. Hu’akavameiliku 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.

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