France announces ‘historic’ deal creating New Caledonia state that stays French

France and New Caledonia on Saturday announced on Saturday a "historic" accord in which the overseas territory would remain French, but be declared a new state. The 13-page agreement announced Saturday calls for a New Caledonian nationality, and the possibility for residents there to combine that status with the French nationality.

President  Macron had called for talks to break a deadlock between forces loyal to France and those wanting independence, asking New Caledonian elected officials, as well as political, economic and civil society leaders to gather near Paris to hammer out a constitutional framework for the territory.

After 10 days of talks, the parties agreed that a "State of New Caledonia" should be created. The referendum was the last of three since 2018, all of which rejected New Caledonian independence.

mitv