The French prime minister is today due to begin a four-day official visit to New Caledonia amid preparations of next year's independence referendum.
Edouard Philippe is due to meet the government of Philippe Germain, which was elected yesterday after a three-month political stalemate.
Mr Philippe will also attend a meeting of the signatories to the Noumea Accord to discuss the final phase of the decolonisation process leading up to the plebiscite.
This meeting follows the talks he chaired in Paris a month ago when the signatories agreed on the make-up of the restricted roll for the referendum.
Among key issues to be decided are the referendum question which according to the Noumea Accord has to open up the possibility of New Caledonia gaining full sovereignty.
Mr Philippe is expected to be in Lifou and Mare on Sunday before heading to the northern province on Monday.
On Tuesday, he is scheduled to address New Caledonia's Congress.
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe (C), flanked by French senator for New Caledonia Pierre Frogier (3-L), President of the northern province of the French overseas Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia, Paul Neaoutyine (2-L) and members of the Noumea Accord Signing Committee (Comite des Signataires. Photo: AFP
