Photo: YOAN VALAT
Talks on New Caledonia's political future have been underway in Paris after French President Emmanuel Macron launched a fresh roundtable on Friday, despite the absence of one of the French territory's main pro-independence groups, the FLNKS.
During a first meeting with New Caledonia's political stakeholders, Macron "regretted one of the political partners did not wish to respond to our invitation".
But he said more talks were needed to "reach an agreement to get out of an already too long uncertainty".
'Without any forceful passage, but without any paralysis either': Macron
"Today, the State wishes to continue to advance on stabilising New Caledonia's institutions, as part of a dialogue respectful of everyone, without any forceful passage, but without any paralysis either," the French president said.
New Caledonia's Congress (Parliament) Speaker Veylma Falaeo (Wallisian-based Eveil OcΓ©anien party) echoed Macron's remarks, saying she too regretted the FLNKS' absence "but it's now time to move forward".
Eveil OcΓ©anien leader Milakulo Tukumuli suggested politicians should agree on a "new period of stability of 15 to 20 years to rebuild and reform [New Caledonia], after which a new referendum could be held on a new common project or even a
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