Anti-independence groups in New Caledonia say the date of the referendum on a new statute for the territory "is not an option but an engagement".
The Junior Minister for Overseas Territories, Jean-Francois Carenco, has deferred the referendum date from July 2023.
Carenco said a vote will happen once everybody is ready, noting there has been no dialogue for two years to advance matters.
Nicholas Metzdorf (left) and Philipe Dunoyer at an anti-independence rally Photo: Facebook
Anti-independence politicians have written to Carenco to remind him that the French president has validated a new statute and that Caledonians have a clear constitutional path.
The head of the anti-independence party Popular Movement Caledonia, Gil Brial, told La Premiere that Carenco's response does not match France's obligation to commit to the July 2023 date.
"A clarification needs to be sorted out so that pro-independence and anti-independence camps can work together around the table in the interest of the New Caledonian population," he said.
The founder of another anti-independence party, Generation NC, Nicholas Metzdorf, said he wants clarification on Carenco's statement as well.
"I am here to hear a clarification by the minister. This trip is supposed to reinforce the July date, not remove it."
Carenco is meeting on Wednesday local time the anti-independence groups in the morning and pro-independence groups in the afternoon in the Southern Province.
The pro-independence FLNKS was supposed to have a congress meeting on September 17 but this has been postponed to early January.
The congress was due to talk about bilateral talks with France, however after Carenco's visit the group decided not to go ahead with the meeting.