The French Polynesian President Edouard Fritch has discussed France's Covid-19 policies with the French overseas minister Sebastien Lecornu as well as President Emmanuel Macron.
Edouard Fritch and Jean Castex meet in Paris Photo: supplied
Travel to Tahiti had been suspended because of the surge of Covid-19 in Europe.
Paris imposed a travel ban to non-European Union destinations two months ago, which stopped Tahiti's international tourism against the wishes of the territory's government.
No details had been released about the meeting with Lecornu but a statement by the French Polynesian presidency said the lively exchange showed the will of France and French Polynesia to advance all issues to help Polynesia.
Sebastien Lecornu Photo: AFP or licensors
The tourism sector, including the tourism minister, urged Paris to allow flights from France and the United States to resume while unions in Tahiti remained hesitant, fearing a fresh wave of Covid-19 infections.
After opening the border to quarantine-free tourism last July, community infections spread to 18,000 people and claimed more than 140 lives.
Major infrastructure investments earmarked for French Polynesia
France and French Polynesia signed contracts worth $US283 million for joint infrastructure investments in the territory for the period 2021-2023.
They were signed in Paris by the French Prime Minister Jean Castex and Fritch.
Almost $US60m had been earmarked to improve the supply of drinking water and waste disposal.
The same sum had been agreed for the construction or upgrade of emergency shelters in case of cyclones or tsunamis in mainly the Tuamotus, including Rangiroa and Hao.
A third contract, worth almost $US170m, provided for investment in housing, agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture as well as tourism.
Discussion on French nuclear legacy proposed for June
The French Polynesian president also said Paris had proposed a high-level roundtable on the French nuclear legacy in June as concern persisted that France had withheld key information.
Fritch made the announcement after meeting Macron.
French President, Emmanuel Macron. Photo: AFP
Fritch said there was a need for truth and justice following this month's release of a new study, claiming France had misled the public about the seriousness of the test fallout.
The study published by the news website Disclose caused an outcry.
He said while compensation had been offered to victims of the 193 weapons tests since 2010, the support was insufficient.
Fritch said every time a book was published on the subject, sentiments were inflamed and suspicions raised that serious matters were still kept hidden.
French Polynesia's pro-independence opposition wants the UN to investigate and three years ago, it lodged a claim with the International Criminal Court, alleging the tests amounted to crimes against humanity.
Macron due in Tahiti
A visit to French Polynesia by Macron has again been deferred and he is now expected to arrive in August.
The Covid-19 pandemic has already prompted a postponement twice.
The first deferral was made a year ago when plans were afoot for a France-Oceania summit with Pacific Island leaders in April.
In 2019, Macron cancelled his Tahiti trip when he was hoped to also attend a meeting of the European Union's Overseas Countries and Territories Association.
Once Macron arrives he will be only the third French president to have visited French Polynesia over the past quarter of a century.
