Current:Home > reviewsFrench foreign minister says she is open to South Pacific resettlement requests due to rising seas-LoTradeCoin
French foreign minister says she is open to South Pacific resettlement requests due to rising seas
lotradecoin withdrawal processing times View Date:2024-12-25 12:33:56
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on Monday she was open to any resettlement request from tiny South Pacific nations threatened by rising sea levels, similar to Australia’s agreement with Tuvalu.
Colonna said France had watched with “great interest” last month when Australia offered Tuvalu a lifeline to help residents escape the rising seas and increased storms brought by climate change.
At a meeting of Pacific leaders in the Cook Islands, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a plan that will initially allow up to 280 Tuvaluans to come to Australia each year. Tuvalu has a population of 11,000, and its low-lying atolls make it particularly vulnerable to global warming.
Colonna said she was not sure if the French Pacific territories of French Polynesia and New Caledonia had the capacity to make similar offers.
“I’m open to consider any specific request,” Colonna told the National Press Club.
“But ... the size of the Australian continent makes a big difference with the size and beauties of French Polynesia and New Caledonia,” she added.
Colonna said the Australian deal initiated by Tuvalu was one way to address some of the challenges posed by climate change.
“I’d rather see climate change being controlled and mastered,” Colonna said.
“Preemptive action maybe is better than taking some corrective measures when it is late,” she added.
She said she did not know the details of the Australia-Tuvalu treaty but was confident it respected basic principles of international law.
The treaty commits Australia to assist Tuvalu in response to major natural disasters, health pandemics and military aggression, Albanese said in a statement.
It also gives Australia veto power over any security or defense-related agreement Tuvalu wants to make with any other country such as China.
Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano said the new arrangement with Australia respected both nations’ sovereignty and committed each country to supporting the other through such challenges as climate change.
Colonna spoke to the media ahead of a meeting at Parliament House with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong aimed at increasing the two countries’ cooperation in the region.
Defense Minister Richard Marles flies to New Caledonia this week to meet French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu and their South Pacific counterparts.
France and Australia’s relations have improved with the election of Albanese’s government last year after a previous administration angered Paris in 2021 by canceling a 90 billion Australian dollar ($66 billion) contract for a fleet of French-built submarines.
veryGood! (4151)
Related
- Gen Z is 'doom spending' its way through the holidays. What does that mean?
- Grimes Trolls Ex Elon Musk With Comment About Dating Guys Interested in Outer Space
- Music titan Quincy Jones, legendary producer of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller,' dies at 91
- Chris Martin falls through stage at Coldplay tour concert in Australia: See video
- China's ruling Communist Party expels former chief of sports body
- Juju Watkins shined in her debut season. Now, she and a loaded USC eye a national title.
- Outer Banks Ending After Season 5
- 'Melt away' your Election Day stress: Puppy-cuddling events at hotels across the US on Nov. 5
- When does 'No Good Deed' come out? How to watch Ray Romano, Lisa Kudrow's new dark comedy
- Early Week 10 fantasy football rankings: 30 risers and fallers
Ranking
- Beyoncé will perform halftime during NFL Christmas Day Game: Here's what to know
- Wisconsin Senate race pits Trump-backed millionaire against Democratic incumbent
- Ohio State passes Georgia for No. 2 spot in college football's NCAA Re-Rank 1-134
- Hurricane season still swirling: Rafael could threaten US later this week
- Michael Bublé Details Heartwarming Moment With Taylor Swift’s Parents at Eras Tour
- 3 New Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Rules Everyone Should Know For 2024
- Vikings vs. Colts highlights: Sam Darnold throws 3 TDs in Sunday Night Football win
- Fantasy football buy low, sell high: 10 trade targets for Week 10
Recommendation
-
Syrian rebel leader says he will dissolve toppled regime forces, close prisons
-
As NFL trade deadline nears, Ravens' need for pass rusher is still glaring
-
Opinion: Harris' 'SNL' appearance likely violated FCC rules. There's nothing funny about it.
-
Johnny Depp’s Lawyer Camille Vasquez Reveals Why She “Would Never” Date Him Despite Romance Rumors
-
Turning dusty attic treasures into cash can yield millions for some and disappointment for others
-
Chiefs trade deadline targets: Travis Etienne, Jonathan Jones, best fits for Kansas City
-
Quincy Jones, Legendary Producer and Music Icon, Dead at 91
-
Kendall Jenner Shares Glimpse at Birthday Celebration With Witches Don't Age Cake