French Polynesia's president says improving the compensation process for victims of France's nuclear weapons tests is a priority.
Edouard Fritch Photo: Supplied/ Présidence de la Polynésie française
Edouard Fritch told a visiting French commission that people expect France to assume responsibility for the testing regime and compensate those who have suffered poor health.
The commission includes three of French Polynesia's parliamentarians in Paris as well as representatives of ministries such as defence, health and justice.
The group is also due to visit Moruroa, Rikitea and Tureia over the next week to hear testimony of how the weapons tests, which were carried out from 1966, affected people on the atolls.
The commission's head Lana Tetuanui has told local media their visit may be seen as late but as the heirs of the bomb, they will do their part.
The commission is expected to report to the French prime minister Edouard Philippe before the end of the year.
The compensation law, known as the loi Morin, is widely seen as too restrictive as most compensation applications have been thrown out.