Fresh from meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington, Macron touched down for the first foray Down Under by a French leader since François Hollande came to Brisbane for a G20 summit four years ago. His advisers said he wanted to discuss a "common response" to security and climate tensions in the South Pacific, which includes the French territories of New Caledonia and French Polynesia. Macron told reporters he intends to "anchor" the Franco-Australian relationship "strategically, economically, but also scientifically, culturally and linguistically". "We must support the South Pacific islands in their development and give them options when they want to develop infrastructure. Following the Australia visit, the French leader will continue on to the French territory of New Caledonia, where a crucial independence referendum is due in November.

Source: The Local May 01, 2018 10:52 UTC