Emmanuel Macron received the political representatives of New Caledonia on Friday September 8 at the Élysée. After his visit there at the end of July and more than two years of blockage with supporters of independence, the French president welcomed the exchanges between separatists and loyalists on the future of this Pacific archipelago, where the no to independence has won three times. The Élysée is confident of signing an agreement by the end of the year.
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The meeting at the Élysée was announced at the last moment, a sign that the subject remains sensitive. But the discussions between the Caledonian delegations are going well. So thatEmmanuel Macron received them to mark their progress. The delegations had already met the Prime Minister, Élisabeth BorneWednesday in Matignon.
It was ” a constructive week marking very significant progress » in the negotiations between separatists and loyalists, welcomed the presidency. They return to Nouméa with a working document on the electorate, the right to self-determination and the future of institutions.
“ We hope for an agreement before the end of the year. », Explains an advisor to the French president. Same optimism in an elected loyalist: “ Everyone, separatists included, is committed » to move forward with the text, confides this source.
The Élysée has set a precise and structured timetable to encourage the different camps to stay the course. The next step is planned in a month in order to identify what is blocking and what is moving forward. A test, before the visit of Gérald Darmanin, expected in Nouméa at the end of October. In an interview with WorldSaturday September 9, the Minister of the Interior said “ rely on great responsibility » from each camp « facing history “.
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