France has demanded that a special meeting of New Caledonia's Congress be convened to discuss the controversy over nickel exports.
Noumea port, New Caledonia. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
The overseas ministry says Paris is invoking its rights under the organic law after the Congress leadership rejected a bid by the territorial government to debate the issue.
A court in Noumea has upheld a Congress complaint that the government's call for a meeting was formally flawed.
However, the French government says this is not the time for a useless extension of a legal debate.
It says it is now time for a quick resumption of a substantial dialogue with all the political forces in New Caledonia.
The controversy over proposed nickel exports to China prompted a three-week industrial conflict in August.
