France holds fire as a dispute over Matthew and Hunter islands heats up with Vanuatu

France is holding its response to a fresh diplomatic flare-up with Vanuatu.

The French Embassy in Port Vila says it will wait for the country's new ambassador to arrive before commenting on calls to suspend cooperation.

The delay comes after New Caledonian politician Nicolas Metzdorf called for France to recall its ambassador from Vanuatu and halt development and scientific cooperation over the Pacific nation's claim to Matthew and Hunter Islands.

The islands and their surrounding maritime areas have long been disputed between Vanuatu and France with negotiations still under way.

Metzdorf has accused Vanuatu of going beyond cultural or historical claims and seeking control of the wider Exclusive Economic Zone. He has also alleged, without providing evidence in the statement reported by Vanuatu Daily Post, that the government in Port Vila could lease or sell access to the area to China.

Metzdorf is calling for France to stop working with Vanuatu through the French Development Agency and the Institute of Research for Development, as well as withdrawing its diplomatic presence.

Matthew and Hunter Islands, at the centre of a long-running territorial and maritime dispute between Vanuatu and France. Photo/vanuatudigest.com/Bob Makin/file

“We stop the IRD, we stop the French Development Agency, we recall our embassy, we stop cooperation with Vanuatu, as long as they are this aggressive with us,” he said.

Vanuatu has already rejected Metzdorf's characterisation of the dispute in strong terms, making clear it sees the issue as one of sovereignty, history and customary rights.

“Vanuatu is not the New Hebrides. We ceased to be a condominium in 1980," the government said. “Vanuatu is not for sale. Our citizenship is not a joke for your amusement.”

Metzdorf's call would have major implications for a relationship that includes development, research, education and other forms of cooperation.

Taiwan is not the only part of the wider Pacific diplomatic picture facing pressure over China's growing influence. Metzdorf has specifically raised China in relation to Vanuatu's maritime claim but his allegation has not been confirmed by Vanuatu or France.

The French Embassy in Port Vila has so far declined to say whether Metzdorf's position reflects that of the French government.

Instead, it told the Daily Post it would wait for the new French ambassador to arrive before providing a response.

That leaves a key question hanging over the next stage of the Matthew and Hunter talks: whether Paris will distance itself from Metzdorf's demands or whether his concerns will gain support within France's political system.

For Vanuatu, the issue is about more than two remote islands. Control of the surrounding waters also has implications for maritime rights and the resources and economic activity that come with an EEZ.

The French Embassy in Port Vila, which says it will wait for the arrival of France's new ambassador before responding to calls to suspend diplomatic and development cooperation with Vanuatu. Photo/wikimedia/Sheminghui.WU

Metzdorf has also criticised the pro-independence FLNKS movement in New Caledonia for supporting Vanuatu's position. He says the maritime area could be important to the territory's future.

He said he intended to write to France's foreign minister seeking an end to cooperation with Vanuatu and described the situation as looking like “treason”.

The French Embassy has not publicly endorsed those comments.

The timing is important. Vanuatu and France are still engaged in discussions over the disputed islands, meaning any move to freeze development or research cooperation could add another layer to already sensitive negotiations.

For Port Vila, the next response from Paris will therefore be closely watched - not only for what it says about Metzdorf's demands but for what it signals about the future of the Matthew and Hunter dispute.

And with the new French ambassador yet to arrive, the most important response may still be to come.