KOROR, Palau — France on Wednesday insisted on its sovereignty over two disputed and strategically important islands in the Pacific Ocean claimed by Vanuatu, which is seeking to open a case against Paris at the Hague-based International Court of Justice. 

 

Eleonore Caroit, a junior minister at the French foreign ministry, said Paris had taken note of the move by Vanuatu over the uninhabited islands of Matthew and Hunter and would give its response in due course.

 

Under the rules of the United Nations' top court, the case can only proceed if France agrees international judges have jurisdiction.

 

The French government in December denied it was planning to cede sovereignty after far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen accused President Emmanuel Macron of seeking to give up overseas territories.

 

The volcanic islands lie several hundred kilometres east of the French overseas territory of New Caledonia, but are also claimed by Vanuatu.

 

"France's position is clear and firm," Caroit said at a conference of Pacific islands hosted by Palau.

 

"It is a position of dialogue and openness, but above all, it is a reaffirmation of France's sovereignty over these islands," said Caroit.

 

The sides must "discuss, negotiate, and try to find solutions without relinquishing sovereignty -- that was never on the table", she added.

 

Paris acknowledges the request by Vanuatu to open the case and will respond regarding "jurisdiction" and "the merits of the case", she said.

 

The tiny islands of less than one square kilometre guarantee France an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 350,000 square kilometres.

 

Vanuatu won independence from joint British and French rule in 1980.

 

"We decided that we had discussed this issue long enough and we have now submitted a request to the court," said Vanuatu's environment minister Ralph Regenvanu at the forum.

 

If Paris does not accept the ICJ's jurisdiction, Vanuatu can request an advisory opinion via a majority vote in the UN General Assembly, he added.

 

Earlier this year, Vanuatu's Prime Minister Jotham Napat accused France of colonialism over the dispute and threatened to use "all diplomatic and international legal means" if discussions broke down.

 

France has overseas territories across the globe, from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean and Pacific -- legacies of the colonial era that are now vital strategic footholds for Paris.