Matthew and Hunter islands: France reasserts sovereignty claim against Vanuatu

France says it is open to dialogue with Vanuatu over the Matthew and Hunter islands, but it will not give up its sovereignty claim. “France’s position is clear and firm. It is a position of dialogue, a position of openness, but above all it is a reminder of France’s sovereignty over these islands,” said Eléonore Caroit, France’s minister delegate for Francophonie and international partnerships.

Speaking at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, Caroit said Paris had taken note of Vanuatu’s request to the International Court of Justice. France will respond both on the court’s jurisdiction and on the substance of the case, she said. “Discuss, negotiate, try to find solutions without renouncing sovereignty. That has never been in question,” she added.

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France’s position is clear and firm. It is a position of dialogue, a position of openness, but above all it is a reminder of France’s sovereignty over these islands.

The uninhabited islands lie about 300 kilometers south of Vanuatu and more than 400 kilometers east of New Caledonia. Although they cover less than one square kilometer, they give France an exclusive economic zone of 350,000 square kilometers. Vanuatu has claimed the islands since gaining independence from France and the United Kingdom in 1980.

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Discuss, negotiate, try to find solutions without renouncing sovereignty. That has never been in question.

Vanuatu Environment Minister Ralph Regenvanu said his country had decided it had discussed the issue long enough and had submitted its request to the court. If France does not accept the court’s jurisdiction, he said, Vanuatu could seek an advisory opinion through a majority vote in the U.N. General Assembly. He cited a cultural dossier supported by Kanaky customary leaders who recognize Matthew and Hunter as belonging to Vanuatu.

The court said no procedural action would take place unless France accepts its jurisdiction. France and Vanuatu started talks in 2025, particularly over their exclusive economic zone boundaries. The discussions, initially expected to continue in early 2026, were postponed to avoid clashing with electoral deadlines in New Caledonia.

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We decided that we had discussed this problem long enough, and we have now submitted a request to the Court to resolve this problem.