Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown met with President of New Caledonia, Louis Mapou, during the week’s discussions and before the start of the plenary session of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meetng in Nukualofa today.
The two leaders, who have had a series of virtual exchanges since May 2024, embraced warmly ahead of the Forum Troika Leaders meeting.
“I was very pleased to meet with President Mapou and reassure him, in person, of the Cook Islands' commitment to continuing to support New Caledonia as it navigates these challenging times,” said Prime Minister Brown.
“The Cook Islands’ own voyage to statehood and New Caledonia’s sustained quest for self-determination is a topic President Mapou and I have discussed on various occasions, and I will continue to be available to assist and support New Caledonia’s efforts in the months ahead. To that end, I have invited President Mapou to visit the Cook Islands for a deeper appreciation of our experiences.”
The two leaders also discussed arrangements for the Troika-led mission to New Caledonia and reaffirmed their joint commitment to progressing these arrangements through a jointly agreed Terms of Reference for the mission between New Caledonia, France, and the Pacific Islands Forum. Forum Leaders will receive a report on the New Caledonia situation from Troika Leaders during their meetings today and tomorrow.
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