5 May 2005

French Polynesian president meets French prime minister in Paris

7:49 am on 5 May 2005

The French Polynesian president, Oscar Temaru, has met the French prime minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, for the first time at his official residence in Paris.

Mr Temaru spoke to Mr Raffarin for an hour at the Hotel Matignon, and he said both had agreed to work in partnership, as the territory now needed peace, calm and co-operation from the State.

On the agenda was the development contract between Paris and Papeete, the wish of Polynesians to bring in the euro currency, and infrastructure development in the Marquesas group.

Mr Temaru said they had spoken about the local councils of French Polynesia, which he said had been brought to their knees during 20 years of government led by his predecessor, Gaston Flosse.