French Polynesia's president Edouard Fritch Photo: supplied
French Polynesia's president Edouard Fritch has suggested the French constitution be modified to recognise the legacy of the nuclear weapons tests.
The aftermath of the tests has remained contentious, with compensation for the impact and damage still pending.
Fritch suggested acknowledging the tests to the French Senate as Paris is preparing to redefine the standing of overseas departments and territories within the French republic.
He said as part of the reform French Polynesia's autonomy status could also be broadened.
Fritch said he would like the territorial assembly to be given the power to adopt laws akin to that of the Congress in New Caledonia which are not subject to vetting by France's highest administrative court.
He said he would like French Polynesia to be given a freer hand to reach agreements with Pacific Island countries.
French Polynesia has been on the UN decolonisation list since 2013 but France has resisted calls by the pro-independence movement to engage with the UN.
Picture taken in 1971, showing a nuclear explosion in French Polynesia's Mururoa atoll. Photo: AFP