6 Dec 2017

New Caledonia's Congress addressed by French PM

From , 6:05 am on 6 December 2017

The French prime minister Edouard Philippe has taken the initiative in preparing next year's independence referendum in New Caledonia.

At the end of a four-day visit to the three provinces, he gave a much awaited speech to the Congress in Noumea to state the parameters of the process.

The vote next year will conclude the 1998 Noumea Accord and put New Caledonia on a new trajectory.

Walter Zweifel listened in.

Edouard Philippe  in New Caledonia.

Edouard Philippe in New Caledonia. Photo: AFP

Listen to the full speech here