1 Nov 2017

Paris to host talks on New Caledonia's independence referendum

From , 4:03 pm on 1 November 2017

Next year's independence referendum in New Caledonia will be the subject of talks in Paris on Thursday and Friday, chaired by the French prime minister Edouard Philippe.

The Noumea Accord signed in 1998 has provided a 20-year decolonisation roadmap that will expire next year when, according to the Accord, a vote has to be held.

But issues remain which need to be discussed by the signatories to the Accord.

Walter Zweifel has followed the story and Jamie Tahana asked him about the significance of the meeting.

Kanak and French flags on Ouvea island.

Kanak and French flags on Ouvea island. Photo: AFP