Reference News Network, July 13 report - According to AFP, July 12 report, France announced on July 12 a "historic" agreement with New Caledonia. According to the agreement, the overseas territory that was subjected to violent attacks by separatists last year will continue to belong to France, but it will be declared a new country.
The report said that French President Emmanuel Macron posted on the social media platform X: "The New Caledonia State within the Republic: A bet on trust." He praised this "historic" agreement.
Macron later met the signatories of the agreement and said: "After two agreements and three referendums, through the agreement you signed, New Caledonia is opening a new chapter in its peaceful relationship with France."
Macron had previously called for negotiations to break the deadlock between pro-France and independence factions in New Caledonia. Elected officials of New Caledonia, as well as political, economic, and civil society leaders, recently gathered near Paris to finalize the constitutional framework for the territory.
The report said that after 10 days of talks, all parties agreed to establish a "New Caledonia State".
France's Minister for Overseas Affairs, Manuel Valls, said: "This is a wise compromise, which maintains the link between France and New Caledonia, while granting this Pacific island more sovereignty."
The current priority is the economic recovery of New Caledonia.
Valls said that the violence last year claimed 14 lives, and the region suffered an estimated loss of 2 billion euros, with a 10% drop in GDP.
French Prime Minister François Hollande said that the agreement announced on the 12th has "historic significance". The agreement still needs approval from the parliament and a referendum.
The report said that New Caledonia has about 270,000 people, located nearly 17,000 kilometers from Paris, and it is one of several overseas territories still belonging to France.
The agreement announced on the 12th requires the creation of a New Caledonia nationality, and the residents there may combine this identity with French nationality.
According to the agreement, the "New Caledonia State" will be included in the French Constitution, and other countries can recognize this state.
The agreement also requires the conclusion of an economic and financial recovery agreement, including the reconstruction of the region's nickel processing capacity.
The French Parliament's two chambers will hold meetings in the fourth quarter of this year to vote on the agreement, then submit it to a referendum in New Caledonia in 2026.
Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7526542911693931071/
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