New Caledonia's FLNKS now says it will meet with French junior overseas minister Jean-Francois Carenco after they previously ruled out meeting him last month.
The umbrella group of pro-independence parties said it would only discuss the territory's accession to full sovereignty when Carenco visits Noumea from September 12-15.
Jean-Francois Carenco French Overseas minister Photo: Facebook
Paris wants talks to help prepare a vote in June next year on a new statute for New Caledonia within France, after three referendums rejected independence from France.
However, the pro-independence parties refuse to recognise the outcome of last December's vote as the legitimate expression of the will of the people.
Palika spokesperson Jean-Pierre Djaiwe said his party remains in the spirit of the Noumea Accord, which is designed to decolonise the territory.
He also said given the opposing views, France should try to find a way of conciliating both sides.
FLNKS spokesperson Charles Wea says Carenco's visit is to analyse the reactions of certain parties before engaging with all of them.
"This meeting is to engage a dialogue before talking to the entirety of the pro-independence parties of New Caledonia. He is analysing the environment after what happened on the 12th of December 2021. He will engage the discussion based on reactions he receives at the meeting.
"The FLNKS hasn't spoken to France in a very long time. Since at least 2019, when Mr Lecornu and the president of the republic have privileged another format, rather than to talk to the signing committee, which sabotaged the process of decolonisation."
The FLNKS is holding a congress in Dumbea on Thursday local time to prepare for bilateral talks between pro-independence parties on September 17.