New Caledonia declared a ‘state’ in autonomy deal, but will stay French | Politics News

Agreement allows the archipelago that endured unrest last year to be its own state but remain within French fold.

France has announced a “historic” deal with New Caledonia in which the South Pacific overseas territory, which was rocked by a wave of unrest last year over controversial electoral reforms, will be declared a new state.

The 13-page accord, reached on Saturday after negotiations in Paris between the French government and groups on both sides of the territory’s independence…