16 Jun 2015

Call for unity in New Caledonia

3:20 pm on 16 June 2015

A leading pro-independence politician in New Caledonia says globalisation has changed the concept of colonisation and therefore a fresh approach has to be found in charting the territory's future.

Daniel Goa of the Caledonian Union says the issue at stake is no longer full independence or not because the independence referendum due by 2018 mustn't lead to a final victory of one part of the population over another.

Mr Goa says the time has come for New Caledonians to be united and to redefine the limits of their new relationship with France.

He says the territory's peoples should adopt a common position when dealing with France, the region or the United Nations.

Mr Goa also says it is unacceptable that the two pro-independence ministers in the collegial government refuse to attend its meetings.

A referendum has to be held by 2018 to complete the 20-year process outlined in the 1998 Noumea Accord accord.