France, May 22 -- In 2001, France became the first country in the world to recognise slavery and the slave trade as "crimes against humanity", via the Taubira Law, but stopped short of any reparations.

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of that landmark legislation at the Elysee presidential palace on Thursday, Macron said the "immense question" of reparations should be addressed.

"How to repair . is a question that must not be refused," Macron said in a speech on the legacies of slavery. "It's also a question on which we must not make false promises."

Between 1551 and 1875, more than 1,38 millon African people were transported to the Americas and the French Caribbean on ships flying the French flag. That represents 11 percent of the tra...