Cook Islands and French Polynesian counterparts meet to discuss a bilateral Air Services Agreement. Photo credit: MFAI.
Cook Islands Foreign Secretary Tepaeru Herrmann, accompanied by Senior Foreign Service Officer Eden Brown has met with French Polynesian Government counterparts to advance negotiations on a bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA).
The resumption of ASA talks builds on discussions initiated in 2022 through missions led by Prime Minister Hon Mark Brown and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI).
These discussions had paused following changes in French Polynesia’s Government and recent elections in France.
Officials from the Cook Islands and French Polynesia have committed to two rounds of technical negotiations, to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2025, with the involvement of the French Republic.
The MFAI is collaborating with key agencies, including the Ministry of Transport, Crown Law Office, Cook Islands Tourism, and Air Rarotonga, which has played a pivotal role in the resumption of direct flights between Rarotonga and Tahiti.
The direct route between Rarotonga and Pape’ete was among the first international connections to resume post-COVID.
This route has significantly contributed to tourism recovery, and the recent announcement of a new codeshare partnership between Air Rarotonga and Air Tahiti Nui marks another milestone in strengthening flight links and passenger capacity between Rarotonga and Tahiti.
Foreign Secretary Herrmann says the Cook Islands welcome the political commitment of French Polynesia towards finalising a bilateral ASA, which will provide a platform for expanding investment in airlift between Rarotonga and Tahiti.
“Such expansion will support travel from Rarotonga and Tahiti, as well as from North America, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia, once the necessary investments materialise.”
In addition to the ASA discussions, Foreign Secretary Herrmann has engaged with officials from HE President Moetai Brotherson’s Office, which oversees Pacific regional and bilateral relations.
Together with Secretary of Culture Emile Kairua, she also held an information session with the Cook Islands diaspora in French Polynesia.
This session focused on preparations for the 60th anniversary of self-governance in free association, to be celebrated in 2025, and plans to broaden cooperation with French Polynesia.
Foreign Secretary Herrmann says there has been a notable increase in bilateral engagement between the Cook Islands and French Polynesia since the resumption of international flights in 2022.
“This cooperation spans tourism, trade, investment, sports, faith-based exchanges, culture, and people-to-people connections, particularly with the large Cook Islands diaspora in French Polynesia.
“Early conclusion of the ASA will further support growth in these areas, and we are exploring representation in French Polynesia to sustain progress on key initiatives.”
