Vanuatu will pursue legal options under international law after failing to reach an agreement with France on the sovereignty of Matthew and Hunter Islands following two days of negotiations in Paris.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Johnny Koanapo, who led Vanuatu’s delegation, confirmed that bilateral negotiations had reached an impasse, with both countries maintaining opposing positions over ownership of the islands and the permanent maritime boundary.

He said Vanuatu remained firm that Matthew and Hunter have always belonged to the people of Vanuatu and that no agreement on maritime boundary delimitation could be reached until the sovereignty issue was resolved.

“Our position on sovereignty remains unchanged. Matthew and Hunter have always belonged, and will always belong, to the people of the Republic of Vanuatu.”

Negotiations end without agreement

Mr Koanapo described the two rounds of negotiations, held in Port Vila in November last year and Paris this month, as difficult but respectful.

He said both sides exchanged extensive views throughout the talks, but their positions on sovereignty remained too far apart to reach consensus.

“We conducted the negotiations in a meaningful, respectful, professional and diplomatic way, but we firmly conveyed Vanuatu’s position,” he said.

Mr Koanapo said Vanuatu also rejected France’s proposal to conclude a maritime boundary agreement while the sovereignty issue remained unresolved.

He said Vanuatu’s position was clear that maritime boundaries could only be settled once ownership of Matthew and Hunter Islands had been resolved.

Government rejects compromise on sovereignty

Mr Koanapo said Vanuatu could not accept any arrangement that treated France as having authority over Matthew and Hunter Islands.

He revealed that France had submitted a proposal suggesting joint management of the islands and allowing Vanuatu access.

However, he said the proposal was firmly rejected.

“I told them, ‘I will allow access to you instead of you allowing access to us.’ It doesn’t work that way.”

He said Vanuatu would not compromise on its sovereignty under any circumstances.

‘An insult to Vanuatu’

Mr Koanapo said Vanuatu’s claim over Matthew and Hunter Islands is based on longstanding cultural, customary and historical connections that pre-date colonial agreements.

He criticised the historical agreement between France and Britain over the islands, saying it was reached without consulting the indigenous people of Vanuatu.

“France came and changed these boundaries together with the British without consulting our people. To us, what France did was an insult to Vanuatu,” Mr Koanapo said.

He said Vanuatu’s struggle for recognition of its sovereignty over Matthew and Hunter Islands would continue until the country’s rightful ownership was fully acknowledged.

“Our journey to full independence will not be complete until Vanuatu’s rightful ownership of Matthew and Hunter Islands is fully recognised,” he said.

International legal options now being considered

With bilateral negotiations now concluded without agreement, Mr Koanapo said Vanuatu would pursue other legal avenues available under international law.

He said international mechanisms, including the International Court of Justice or arbitration, could only be considered after bilateral negotiations had been fully exhausted.

“Now that we have reached an impasse, Vanuatu will pursue other legal options available under international law.”

He said Vanuatu had respected the diplomatic process and believed it had fulfilled its obligation to negotiate in good faith before considering legal action.

New Caledonia should be involved

Mr Koanapo also questioned the absence of New Caledonian representatives during the negotiations.

He said discussions on sovereignty and maritime boundaries should include the people of New Caledonia because of their geographical and cultural links to the disputed area.

According to Mr Koanapo, French officials acknowledged that New Caledonia should have been represented but said provincial elections prevented their participation.

Government remains committed

Despite the lack of agreement, Mr Koanapo insisted the negotiations were not a failure.

He thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for agreeing to direct negotiations between the two governments, describing him as the first French President to support formal talks on the issue.

However, he said Vanuatu would now move forward with the next stage of its campaign.

He called on all Ni-Vanuatu to remain united in supporting the government’s efforts to secure international recognition of Vanuatu’s sovereignty over Matthew and Hunter Islands.

“I ask all our people to stop complaining and pray for our country,” he said.

Mr Koanapo also acknowledged the support of chiefs, pastors and communities in Tafea Province, saying their strong customary and cultural links to Matthew and Hunter Islands continued to strengthen Vanuatu’s claim.

“We are very determined to take this to the highest level to ensure that, once and for all, the issue of sovereignty and maritime boundary delimitation is resolved.”