New Caledonia's Congress has endorsed last month's agreement to free up trade between New Caledonia and Vanuatu.
Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Walter Zweifel
The Congress voted unanimously for the deal which Vanuatu is expected to approve next month.
The trade deal will apply to about 50 products and enable Vanuatu to export agricultural goods including coffee without duties or quantity restrictions.
In return, New Caledonia can supply processed food and building materials.
This comes amid tension over the Matthew and Hunter islands which are claimed by both Vanuatu and France.
The trade deal is seen as a way of integrating New Caledonia into its Melanesian neighbourhood and may be replicated with Solomon Islands and Fiji.