Maurice Ponga is a French MEP from New Caledonia, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. He hopes to get development issues to the top of the agenda in the new Parliament.

Europarl Today: An MEP from the antipodes

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/14535433/P001-90626-001-S-EN.srt

Maurice Ponga finally arrived in the   European capital after a long trip.

He's 62 years old   and one of the 736 MEPs.

He's also representing Europe   on the other side of the world.

Maurice Ponga is the only MEP   from the Pacific Ocean

to take a seat in the   colossal EU machine.

Maurice Ponga was elected   in New Caledonia,

situated 10,500 miles   away from the heart of Europe.

He is a former teacher and a former   member of the Caledonian government

Despite this fact,   the European adventure is intimidating.

I'm not sure about what I feel   but it's something new and big.

Since you used to be a teacher,   is it like being nervous before class?

I'm not nervous but...   I'm going to discover new things.

Maurice Ponga isn't hiding his ambitions:

he wants to be the voice of the Pacific   and of New Caledonia within Europe.

Regarding the Pacific,   there is a special committee

It's the Development Committee   and I've asked to be in it.

Far away from his connections with the   Pacific, things won't be easy for him.

He's going to have to deal   with his task as an MEP

and the thousands of miles   separating him from his roots.

The mission is difficult because of the   distance, the country's remoteness etc.

It's difficult but I won't be   completely absent from this Parliament

because it's a responsibility   I chose to take on.

So, I'll do my utmost to be present   either in Brussels or in Strasbourg.

For the time being, Maurice Ponga   will have to share his time:

He's considering 2-3 month long stays   in the European capital