France refers to consultations with ambassadors of US and Australia / Article

France is responding strongly to the Allies’ new partnership in the India-Pacific regionUldis Ķezberis00:00 / 02:36

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As a result, Australia no longer has a contract with France for the purchase of conventional submarines. The value of the agreement signed in Canberra and Paris in 2016 was 56 billion euros, reports the DPA news agency.

The actions of Australia and the United States angered France so much that its Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Ledria called the incident a backstroke. He also announced that the administration of US President Joe Biden has acted in the style of previous President Donald Trump.

Late Friday night, Ledrian announced that French President Emmanuel Macron had instructed him to recall ambassadors to the United States and Australia. The minister’s statement said that Washington and Canberra had not acted as France’s allies and partners in this case. He added that

this will seriously affect future cooperation and mutual trust between countries.

French Minister for European Affairs Clement Bons said yesterday that after Australia’s decision to terminate the submarine purchase agreement, Paris would not be able to trust Canberra in the ongoing negotiations on a European Union-Australia free trade agreement.

The recall of ambassadors is a final diplomatic move, usually taken by conflicting states, but it is very unusual among allies.

Representatives of the White House regretted France’s decision to recall the ambassador, but added that Washington would try to smooth the dispute with Paris.

The French Ambassador to Australia, Jean-Pierre Tebo, went from Canberra Airport to a consultation in Paris on Saturday.

Before leaving, the French ambassador described the situation as follows: “You have a friend. You have consulted, you have agreed on something important. For something other than buying potatoes and salads, but buying instruments of sovereignty. ”

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has expressed confidence that the dispute with France will be resolved.

“I understand that [francūži] are disappointed. That is clear and we are tackling these challenges, “said Morrison.” France is an important partner, especially here in the Pacific. We have many common interests. So we will deal with it. [..] It is a good submarine, but it is a conventional submarine and no longer met our needs. That is why we acted in accordance with our national interests. I am convinced that President Macron will always act in the national interest of France, and Australia will do the same. “

Ned State Price, a spokesman for the US Department of State, wrote on Twitter that Washington understands France’s position and maintains close contact with Paris. He added that the topic could be discussed by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and French Foreign Minister Ledria during the UN General Assembly in New York next week.

The Australian Foreign Office said Canberra valued relations with France, which played a key role in ensuring stability in the India and Pacific region, ABC reports.

Analysts point out that

France is bitter about the US-Australia agreement because it also sees itself as an influential force in the India-Pacific region.

France owns the overseas territories of New Caledonia and French Polynesia, which, unlike other European countries, provides it with a strategic and military presence in the region.

An agreement with France in 2016 was for the construction of 12 diesel-electric submarines for Australia. But at the time, U.S. nuclear-powered submarine technology was not available to Australia, Canberra explained. Australia’s agreement with the United States and Britain means that it will become only the seventh country in the world to have a nuclear-powered submarine.

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