Emmanuel Macron desires to maneuver ahead, however “without force” | EUROtoday

As a brand new cycle of discussions on the institutional way forward for New Caledonia opens on Friday January 16, Emmanuel Macron mentioned he needed to proceed to maneuver ahead “ in a dialogue respectful of everyone, without force but without paralysis either”, he declared at the opening of this meeting at the Elysée with all the political forces of the archipelago, with the exception of the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), which refused to go to Paris.

The Head of State intends to continue the dialogue with New Caledonian elected officials and “provide clarification on the agreement” de Bougival validated in July between the State, the separatists and the non-independenceists, in accordance with the Presidency of the Republic.

This agreement, which provides for the creation of a State of New Caledonia enshrined in the French Constitution, was however rejected in August by the FLNKS. “Even in the absence of the FLNKS, it is worth continuing to move forward if only because there is a strong expectation from the New Caledonian population” and for “restore perspectives to New Caledonia” after the serious violence of spring 2024, which left 14 dead and rendered the economy of the archipelago bloodless, the president’s entourage explained to the press.

After the meeting at the Elysée, discussions must continue over the weekend around Overseas Minister Naïma Moutchou, with the aim of arriving at a meeting on Monday at the latest. “document which would provide explanations and clarifications” expected by the various actors who signed the July 12 agreement, according to a presidential advisor.