The Minister of the Interior and Overseas Territories Gerald Darmanin and the Minister Delegate in charge of Overseas Territories Jean Francois Carenco lay a wreath in Place Bir Hakeim in Noumea during their first joint official visit to New Caledonia. Photo: Clotilde Richalet / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP
The French interior minister Gerald Darmanin says it is up to the French state to reach out to those in New Caledonia who have voted against the territory staying with France.
Darmanin, who has started a week-long visit to Noumea, was yesterday due to meet representatives of the pro-independence parties as part of efforts to set up a new statute for New Caledonia.
The parties refuse to recognise the outcome of last December's third and last referendum under the 1998 Noumea Accord, saying they will only discuss a path that restores New Caledonia's sovereignty.
However, the minister said a choice was made to stay in the French Republic and it must be respected.
Darmanin will also meet the anti-independence parties.
Last December, more than 96 percent voted against full independence, but the turnout was under 44 percent after the pro-independence parties advised voters to abstain because of France's refusal to postpone the vote.
Last month, the pro-independence parties stayed away from talks hosted by the French prime minister Elisabeth Borne, aimed at launching the formal process of drawing up a statute to succeed the Noumea Accord.