The Vanuatu Government has declared it will pursue international legal avenues after the second round of talks with France failed to resolve the long-standing sovereignty dispute over Matthew and Hunter islands.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Johnny Koanapo told the media after briefing the Council of Ministers (COM) Thursday that the two countries were unable to reach an agreement during their two-day negotiations.
The Lead Negotiator for Vanuatu said that despite extensive exchanges between both countries, their positions “remain far apart”.
He said there were heated exchanges during the recent negotiations, but they were handled in a diplomatic and respectful manner.
He mentioned that France submitted a non-paper proposing joint management of Umaenupne (Matthew) and Umaeneg (Hunter), on the basis that the arrangement would allow Vanuatu access to the two islands.
Koanapo said he made it clear to the French team that Vanuatu should be the one allowing access to the islands, rather than France granting access to Vanuatu.
“I said firmly to them that we (Vanuatu) will allow access to you, instead of you allowing us access. It doesn’t work that way. Because of those heated discussions, we were not able to reach a consensus,” he said.
“Our positions regarding sovereignty over the two islands during the negotiations are seemingly too far apart.
“Vanuatu’s position in the negotiations has been very clear since Independence: Matthew and Hunter islands have been and will always belong to the people of Vanuatu.
“With COM’s blessings, I am reiterating that Vanuatu’s position remains unchanged.”
He said while Vanuatu had expressed its views, it understood that France needed to take the matter through its Parliament and that people from New Caledonia were not part of the discussions as elections were underway at the time.
He added that if France was relying on agreements made during the colonial period, it must remember that Indigenous people were stateless at the time and were never consulted.
The Deputy PM said the Vanuatu Government had approached the negotiations with France in good faith and with respect, but with bilateral avenues now exhausted, it would pursue legal action under international law.
Koanapo thanked the French Government, especially President Emmanuel Macron, for agreeing to engage in talks, which have now concluded without a resolution.
He said he was confident in the Government’s approach to pursuing the matter further. Koanapo acknowledged the support and solidarity shown by the people and chiefs throughout Vanuatu on the matter.
“It was not a waste of money. At least we pursued bilateral negotiations on friendly terms, exhausted all opportunities, and have now reached the point where we will consider other options, including arbitration or the International Court of Justice,” he said.
Koanapo believes Vanuatu’s independence is not fully achieved until its claim and ownership of Matthew and Hunter islands are recognised.
