3 May 2018

Macron begins visit to New Caledonia

6:58 am on 3 May 2018

The French president Emmanuel Macron will today begin a three-day visit to New Caledonia - six months before the territory's vote on independence from France.

French President Emmanuel Macron visits an Australian Navy base at Garden Island in Sydney on May 2, 2018.

Photo: AFP or licensors

Mr Macron is due to meet a wide range of political leaders and visit the northern province and the Loyalty Islands province.

He's also due to become the first French president to visit Ouvea but there is opposition to him visiting the tomb of the Kanaks killed in the 1988 hostage crisis

As part of his programme, Mr Macron will return the original deed with which France took possession of New Caledonia in 1853.

France's President Emmanuel Macron.

France's President Emmanuel Macron. Photo: AFP or licensors

Mr Macron is also due to address the Pacific Community whose headquarters is in Noumea.

Tomorrow, anti-independence supporters are expected to rally in Noumea to express their pride of being French.

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