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PORT VILA, VANUATU (11 April 2025): A team from the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat recently met with France’s Ambassador to the Pacific, Madame Véronique Roger-Lacan, in a historic first, during a short visit to Port Vila.
While the meeting touched on “New Caledonia and its relationship with the MSG”, the Secretariat took the opportunity to emphasise the unique nature of the MSG as an intergovernmental organisation, with self-determination aspirations for the Kanaks being the sole reason for its formation.
The MSG Secretariat was represented by Richard Balkonan as Political Officer, and Gosiana Malili as the DG’s Executive Personal Assistant, while Madame Roger-Lacan was accompanied by the French Ambassador to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, H.E Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer and Mr. Guillaume Josso, Deputy Permanent Representative of France to the Pacific Community.
Mr Balkonan shared information on the Secretariat’s work programmes, with specific mention of flagship programmes namely the Melanesian Free Trade Agreement (MFTA), Melanesian Arts & Culture Festival (MacFEST), MSG Prime Ministers’ Cup and the planned Melanesian Youth Games.’
The Secretariat was informed by the Ambassador of plans to court MSG Leaders within the margins of the 54th Pacific Islands Leaders’ Forum, to be held in Honiara this September to formally discuss the potential for a mutually beneficial relationship with the MSG. Notwithstanding its role as administering power to New Caledonia, France remains an important development partner for all MSG member states.
As well, Mr. Guillaume queried the MSG’s relationship with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), in light of a 2018 MOU and the call for stronger sub regionalism echoed by the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations (CRGA) members in last year’s meeting.
Prior to the devasting 7.3 earthquake of December 2024, the MSG Secretariat hosted the Melanesian Presence Office of the SPC at its premises in Port Vila, with provisions made in current temporary arrangements.
Caption: From L-R: MSG Secretariat’s Political Officer, Richard Balkonan, France’s Ambassador to the Pacific, Madame Roger-Lacan; DG’s Executive Personal Assistant, Gosiana Malili and the French Ambassador to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, H.E Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer.
