FLNKS

Issues discussed included the FLNKS’ main focus of activities this year namely the preparation of the third and final referendum and the dispute over the future of the Vale nickel plant.

The meeting Thursday was conducted to see how the MSG Secretariat could assist the FLNKS with regards to the Secretariat’s work programme, under the Political & Security Affairs (PSA) programme and specifically on FLNKS’ two main proposed areas of work this year.

Both France and Vanuatu claim the two uninhabited islands whose ownership has been the subject of negotiations between the two countries' governments.

Last week, Vanuatu summoned French diplomats after reports that the French navy had visited the island in January and painted a French flag on a rock.

Ten years ago, an FLNKS leader Victor Tutugoro signed a document with the Vanuatu Prime Minister Edward Natapei stating that the islands belonged to Vanuatu.

The team led by MSG Director General, Ambassador Amena Yauvoli met Madame Caroline Machoro-Rennier, 1st Vice President of the New Caledonia Congress, and Mickael Forest, Permanent Secretary of FLNKS.

The Secretariat was tasked to assist the FLNKS in preparing for the 2018 Referendum in accordance with the mandate of MSG Leaders pursuant to the 2013 Noumea Declaration adopted in Noumea and the 2018 Action Plan of Support to FLNKS adopted by Leaders in February 2018 in Papua New Guinea,