Staving off another independence referendum in New Caledonia is the likely goal of most of the territory's politicians when they meet in France this week.
Leaders of both the pro- and anti-independence parties are due to meet for formal talks with the French prime minister Edouard Philippe on Friday.
The meeting comes less than six weeks after a much awaited plebiscite saw 56 percent of voters opt for the status quo.
Walter Zweifel reports.
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French prime minister Edouard Philippe flanked by overseas minister Annick Girardin and the High Commissioner to New Caledonia Thierry Lataste Photo: RNZ Walter Zweifel