PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron has praised the result of New Caledonia's third independence vote, which took place east of Australia in the South Pacific.

Macron announced on Sunday that 96.49 percent of Caledonians voted against independence from France in a press statement. "Caledonians have opted to maintain their French identity. They made their own decision. This decision is a source of pride and recognition for the entire country. Because New Caledonia has decided to stay, France is more beautiful tonight "Added the French President.

According to sources, the French overseas territory was granted the right to three referendums on its future political status under the Noumea Accord (named after New Caledonia's capital) agreed in 1998.

The first referendum was held in 2018, with 56.7 percent of voters opposing independence, and the second was held in 2020, with 53.3 percent of voters opposing independence.

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