Historical Agreement for France, New Caledonia to Be State

President Emmanuel Macron had called for talks to break a deadlock between loyal forces towards France and those who want independence, urging elected New Caledonia officials, as well as political, economic and civil society leaders, to gather near Paris to draft a constitutional framework for territory.

After 10 days of talks, the parties agreed that a “-New Caledon State should be established.

The Archipelago will hold “a status within France, with the Chaldeans remaining French”, said Nicolas Metzdorf, an anti-independence MP.

“no referenda were planned any more, except for one who confirms this agreement”, he said in a sent message AFP's.

The priority now was New Caledonia's economic recovery following last year's violence that killed 14 people and is estimated to have cost the territory two billion euros (2.3 billion euros), lowering 10 percent of the gross domestic product (PBB), he said.

Prime Minister Francisco Bayrou said Saturday's agreement, which still calls for parliamentary approval, and the referendum was of “historic dimensions”, reports AP, broadcast Periscope.

The home of some 270 thousand people and located some 1,000 miles [17 thousand km] from Paris, New Caledonia is one of several foreign territories that remain an integral part of France.

It has been ruled by Paris since the 1800s, but many local cana still hate France's power over their islands and want more autonomy or independence. /Periscope/