The ex-Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, greeted Friday, in his speech of departure from Matignon, the " fascinating process " of decolonization underway in New Caledonia, whose population will be pronounced on October 4, during a new referendum, on the accession to full sovereignty of the territory.
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Traditionally dealt with by Matignon, from Michel Rocard, New Caledonia, which is coming to the end of a long process of decolonization started in 1988, is considered a sensitive issue. " I would particularly like to salute the political forces of New Caledonia, " said Edouard Philippe, who spent long hours with them in Matignon, during the committees of signatories to the Noumea agreement (1998), to discuss the future of this territory.
" The extraordinary process that was started in New Caledonia, long before this government and pursued by many Prime Ministers since Michel Rocard, is a fascinating, difficult, complex, still uncertain process, but we must pay tribute to our fellow Pacific citizens who are working to try to find the right solution, the right solutions, for this incredibly endearing island , "he explained to new Prime Minister Jean Castex.
The latter will have to take charge of the organization of the referendum of November 4, next, after the first, which was held on November 4, 2018 and saw the victory of the " no " to independence (56.7%).
Edouard Philippe went twice to New Caledonia, the first time in December 2017, where he came to immerse himself for four full days. He had made an impression by evoking his " respect " and his " humility in front of a story that obliges us ", and by the time he had taken in listening to each other and in understanding Kanak culture.