The law commission of the French Senate has approved the proposed revision of French Polynesia's autonomy statute.
A total of 62 amendments have been made, most notably in article 1, which gives official recognition to French Polynesia's contribution to France developing its nuclear deterrent.
Picture taken in 1971, showing a nuclear explosion in Mururoa atoll. Photo: AFP
The article also says the consequences of the weapons tests have to be taken into account in every sphere.
The French military tested 193 nuclear weapons at Moruroa and Fangataufa between 1966 and 1996, with the impact on the environment and people's health continued to be felt.
The commission says the revision of the statute guarantees the stability of French Polynesia's institutions and in particular of its assembly.
The proposed reform is to be debated in the French Senate next week.
The opposition parties in Tahiti are against the suggested revision and instead want either partial or full independence from France.
Fakarava Photo: Wikimedia Commons