Emmanuel Macron will travel to New Caledonia early next week to discuss the difficult negotiations between separatists and non-separatists on the future status of the archipelago, but also issues such as coastal erosion, the Elysée announced on Monday. . The head of state will then make a “historic” visit to Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, the first by a French president “in the Pacific outside our territories”, said an adviser.
Are the 2024 provincial elections in sight?
After a first trip to New Caledonia in 2018, the president, who will leave Paris on Sunday, is expected in Noumea on Monday evening July 24. On July 25, he will travel to the East Coast to address the problem of coastal erosion in particular, said the presidency, stressing that Touho was “one of the sites which make it possible to illustrate” this phenomenon.
On July 26, Emmanuel Macron will have a “more political” day: he “will meet with the different New Caledonian political forces together”, and will deliver a “final speech before his departure” for the rest of his trip, according to those around him. The Elysée has not said whether it intends to unblock the negotiations on the electorate for the provincial elections of 2024, the main stumbling block for the definition of a new status for the archipelago.
“Reengage France” in the region
“At this stage for the President of the Republic, what is important is to invite all of New Caledonia’s political representation to discuss with him the future status and the negotiations in progress”, we were told. only indicated. In Vanuatu, on July 27, then in Papua New Guinea, on the 28th, before returning to Paris, the Head of State must “decline” his strategy in Asia-Pacific, which aims, according to the presidency, to “reengage France ” In the region.
Faced with the growing influence of China in these countries, which the United States is trying to counter, “what we are proposing is an alternative”, argued an adviser, who promises an “enhancement” of the French commitment, particularly in terms of development aid and in the face of natural disasters.