The Prime Minister, Hon Hu’akavameiliku held a bilateral meeting with the French Vice-Admiral, Laurent Lebreton yesterday, 24 October 2023 at St George building.

As the Minister responsible for Defence, the Hon Hu’akavameiliku acknowledged the assistance by the French Army Forces in New Caledonia, during the devastating impact of Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruption and ensuing tsunami in 2022.

The Prime Minister's Office stated that, 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, as well as 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," he said.

France will host the South Pacific Defence Ministers Meeting (SPDMM) 2023 when Defence ministers from several Asian and Pacific States are scheduled to meet in New Caledonia for two days during the first week of December. Tonga will attend to support the initiatives of the SPDMM.