France has signed an agreement to create a state

A historic agreement was signed in the Paris suburb of Bougival to create a new state, New Caledonia (an overseas territory of France located on dozens of islands in the South Pacific). Politico reports that the agreement was the result of lengthy negotiations concerning France's overseas regions.

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed to journalists the completion of ten days of negotiations, calling the signed document "historic." For his part, French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou welcomed the agreement, noting that the new organisational structure will be enshrined in the French Constitution.

According to the document, New Caledonia will become a partially independent state with the ability to conduct its own international policy, but will remain somewhat dependent on France. New Caledonians will have separate citizenship but will be able to hold two passports, Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes reported.

The agreement also calls for an economic and financial recovery pact that would include the resumption of nickel refining in the territory.

However, before the agreement can take effect, it must be approved by the French parliament, after which a referendum will have to be held in the Territory itself. It is worth noting that the islands have previously held referendums on independence, but the majority of residents voted in favour of maintaining ties with France.

New Caledonia became a territory of France in 1853. More than a hundred years later, in 1957, the entire indigenous people, the Kanaks, were granted French citizenship.