A leading New Caledonian politician, Pierre Frogier, says a new accord for the territory's future is needed after the expiry of the 1998 Noumea Accord.
Mr Frogier, who was an Accord signatory and is now a member of the French Senate, made the comment in a newspaper interview as urgency grows to prepare a referendum on independence by 2018 as outlined in the Accord.
He says he expects that there will be no resolution after the referendum because a majority is against independence.
Mr Frogier also says this year a virtuous circle has been completed that began in 1988 when the first accord was drawn up.
He says his move in 2010 to push for the joint use of both the French and the Kanak flag as a step towards a common destiny was used by his anti-independence rivals for electioneering purposes.
Mr Frogier says little has been done since 1998 apart from the Paris meetings with their conclusions drawn up in advance to be then given to the media.
At the last Paris meeting of the signatories, Mr Frogier walked out, accusing the French government of being silent about its plans for New Caledonia.