Mon Jul 14 06:50:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**France and New Caledonia Reach “Historic” Agreement for Enhanced Autonomy**

Paris, France – In a landmark agreement following months of tension and unrest, France and New Caledonia have reached a deal that will grant the South Pacific territory significantly increased autonomy while remaining within the French Republic. The agreement, finalized on Saturday after negotiations in Paris, will establish a “State of New Caledonia” with its own nationality, representing a major step towards greater self-governance for the archipelago.

The move comes after violent protests erupted in May 2024 over proposed electoral reforms that threatened to dilute the voting power of the Indigenous Kanak population, who make up roughly 40% of the territory’s nearly 300,000 residents. The unrest resulted in 14 deaths and an estimated €2 billion in economic damage.

Under the terms of the accord, New Caledonia will immediately gain control over its foreign policy. Further transfer of sovereign powers, including those relating to defence, currency, security, and justice, could be subject to a future public vote, potentially opening the door for the territory to seek membership in the United Nations.

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the agreement as a “bet on trust” and called for “respect, stability, and… goodwill to build a shared future.”

While stopping short of full independence sought by many Kanaks, the agreement is seen as a significant step forward. Kanak lawmaker Emmanuel Tjibaou expressed hope that the accord would “get us out of the spiral of violence,” while Nicolas Metzdorf, a lawmaker favouring remaining within France, described the Caledonian nationality as a “real concession.”

The French Parliament is scheduled to vote on the deal in the fourth quarter of this year, after which it will be put to a referendum in New Caledonia in 2026. The agreement also includes provisions for an economic and financial recovery plan, including a focus on revitalizing the territory’s nickel processing industry.

The agreement represents a potential turning point in the relationship between France and New Caledonia, which has been governed from Paris since the 1800s. It also signals a renewed effort to address long-standing grievances and build a more inclusive and prosperous future for the territory.

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