Kanak and French flags on Ouvea island. Photo: AFP
New Caledonia's pro-independence FLNKS movement wants to enter into direct talks with France over the territory's sovereignty.
This comes as the territory is due to hold a referendum on independence next year to conclude the 20-year term of the Noumea Accord which provides for the gradual and irreversible transfer of powers.
An FLNKS spokesperson Aloisio Sako says the movement wants to discuss with Paris how to deal with regal powers, such as justice, defence and police.
His comments reflect the stance of another FLNKS politician Louis Mapou who questions why his side is expected to negotiate with the local right-wing parties given that they don't have sovereignty.
The FLNKS has been meeting to discuss its poor result in last month's French parliamentary election in which the anti-independence Caledonia Together Party won the territory's two seats.
The meeting also follows a post-election declaration by the freshly united anti-independence camp which is urging a dialogue to avoid undoing the peace achieved in the past 30 years.
The four parties making up the loyalist camp say a dialogue is needed because the referendum outcome is already known as a majority will vote in favour of staying with France.
