The commander of the French military in the Pacific Major-General Philippe Leonard is in Fiji to bolster defence ties.
The Fiji Sun reports that he discussed Fiji's participation in military exercises in New Caledonia later this year.
A Fiji military official Captain Eroni Duaibe is quoted as saying this uplifts Fiji in terms of its standing in the military across the globe.
Major General Philippe Leonard, (L) and French Prime Minister Manuel Valls salute at the place Bir-Hakeim in Noumea during a wreath lane ceremony at the wall memorial on April 29, 2016. Photo: AFP