Manuel Valls Advances New Caledonia Negotiations Toward Institutional Agreement

French Minister sees progress after presenting a draft agreement, with a third round of talks set for late April and a €1 billion loan signed to support economic recovery.

• Manuel Valls concluded a four-day visit to New Caledonia, presenting a draft agreement aimed at resolving the region's institutional crisis.
• The draft agreement seeks to bridge divisions between pro-independence and loyalist factions, with a goal of finalizing a comprehensive accord by May 2025.
• Both sides have shown a willingness to cooperate, with Valls expressing optimism about reaching an agreement during the third round of negotiations on April 29, 2025, in Nouméa.
• The French government signed a €1 billion loan agreement with New Caledonia to aid economic recovery following the €2.2 billion in damages caused by the 2024 riots.
• Valls emphasized the severe consequences of failing to reach an agreement, given the region's history and the lingering impact of last year's unrest.

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