18 Apr 2005

French Polynesia's state representative to tour Chilean mainland and Easter Island

8:19 pm on 18 April 2005

France's High Commissioner to French Polynesia is expected to begin a visit to Chile tomorrow, which will include Easter Island.

The news agency Tahitipresse reports Michel Mathieu will talk to government officials in Santiago about regional development.

Mr Mathieu is expected to raise the issue of a risk of a tsunami with the sea rescue centre in Valparaiso.

Other topics include study exchanges with Chilean universities in areas of science and technology, and air transport links.

The High Commissioner will meet the governor of Easter Island, and he's expected to bring up the issue of French help in developing more sustainable natural resources on the isolated atoll.