France's Minister for Overseas Territories, Victor Lurel, has praised the work of one of New Caledonia's leading Kanak politicians, Charles Pidjot, who has died in Vanuatu.
Mr Pidjot was President of New Caledonia's oldest pro-independence party, the Caledonian Union.
Mr Lurel says Mr Pidgot was a man of commitment and conviction and he stressed his consistent work towards reconciliation between anti independence politicians and the FLNKS.
The National Secretary for Overseas Territories of France's Socialist Party, Axel Urgin, says he was widely respected and a major player in building a common future for New Caledonia.
Charles Pidjot, who was fifty, was one of the signatories of the Noumea Accord.
He died on Vanuatu's Tanna Island after complications from a traditional operation.
