France has a new overseas minister whose responsibilities include the French Pacific territories.
Annick Girardin Photo: AFP
Annick Girardin, who is from the French territory of St Pierre and Miquelon off Canada's east coast, has been appointed to the post as a new 18-member government has been unveiled.
Ms Giradin takes over from Ericka Bareigts.
The new prime minister Edouard Philippe has retained from the former government Jean-Yves Le Drian, shifting him from defence to foreign affairs.
Ms Girardin said she wanted the overseas territories to be recognised as an asset with exceptional maritime areas.
According to her, the territories represented France in the world and made sure that in France "the sun never sets".
France classifies 11 inhabited territories as overseas departments or collectivities.