With less than four months to go until New Caledonia's referendum on independence from France, the anti-independence Caledonia Together Party has again called for efforts to determine the territory's common heritage.
Philippe Gomes Photo: AFP
Its leader Philippe Gomes said pro and anti-independance factions need to go beyond a simple yes or no and work on how society will look in the future.
He wants both sides to sign up to a formal declaration stating what unites the two camps, taking into account what has been achieved in the last 30 years.
Mr Gomes said after next year's provincial elections they should reopen a dialogue on how to forge a new accord to follow the Noumea Accord which expires with the November referendum.
He said a massive no to independence should not be the end for the right to self-determination as New Caledonia could become a nation while not being a state.
Mr Gomes said a flag could be found to resemble New Caledonia and an economic sovereignty could be attained.