Pacific / French Polynesia

French Polynesia applies for Forum membership

13:59 pm on 28 July 2015

A Pacific Islands Forum mission has been in French Polynesia to assess its bid for membership of the Forum.

The territory was granted observer status of the region's peak political body in 2004.

The Post Courier reports Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato led by the delegation which met with a cross section of people and organisations to obtain views.

Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades

The Minister says admitting a new member to the Forum is not a decision that is taken lightly and set procedures will be followed for the consideration of French Polynesia's application.

He says the people and government of French Polynesia make an important contribution to economic and cultural exchange.

The decision is due to be made at the Forum's meeting in September.