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New Zealand "gravely concerned" about New Caledonia's situation

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, May 16, 2024
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WELLINGTON, May 16 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia, calling for calm, constructive dialogue, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Thursday.

The escalating situation and violent protests in Noumea, the capital, are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region, said Peters, also New Zealand's deputy prime minister.

Protests and violence broke out on Tuesday ahead of a vote in the French National Assembly on changes to the New Caledonian constitution, according to media reports.

"The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the situation, so that there can be dialogue and calm," Peters said, adding everyone should agree that violence is harmful to every community there.

New Zealand, as a neighbor of New Caledonia and fellow member of the Pacific Islands Forum, has a strong interest in the peaceful resolution of the situation there, he said, adding France and New Zealand, as close partners in the Pacific, are urging all sides to engage in constructive dialogue.

New Zealand has been keeping abreast of developments and providing the best possible consular assistance to New Zealanders in New Caledonia, Peters said, adding Kiwis there are advised to avoid all protests and demonstrations.

French President Emmanuel Macron decided on Wednesday to declare a state of emergency in New Caledonia, a French territory comprising dozens of islands in the South Pacific, where protests have left three people dead and seriously injured a gendarme. Enditem

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