Macron held a press conference in Paris on Tuesday where he spoke for the first time about the defense agreement between the United States, Australia and Great Britain. The so-called Aukus collaboration meant, among other things, that Australia rejected a contract for the purchase of submarines from France.
The value of the contract corresponded to several hundred billion kroner. France reacted angrily to the wreck and called home its ambassadors from Australia and the United States. The case has also become a hot potato for NATO.
“Europeans must put aside naivety,” Macron said on Tuesday.
“When we are under pressure, it is to show that we have the power and capacity to defend ourselves, simply to put ourselves in respect,” said the French president.
Addition to NATO
– The United States has historically been close friends and allies when it comes to values, but we must realize that for over ten years, Americans have primarily focused on themselves. They have reoriented their strategic interests towards China and the Pacific, said Macron, who added that Europeans must ensure their own protection.
– This is not an alternative or substitute for the alliance with the United States, Macron emphasized, who emphasized that European defense plans must be in addition to NATO.
Macron said he had agreed with US President Joe Biden on “in-depth consultations” with a view to restoring trust between the two parties. Last week it also became clear that French Ambassador Philippe Etienne is returning to the United States.
“Etienne is returning with a clear mandate,” Macron said on Tuesday.
Gonna meet Biden
The president said he would speak to Biden again in mid-October, before the two meet face-to-face at the end of the month in Europe.
An official of Macron’s staff says so far no date has been set for when France’s ambassador to Australia, Jean-Pierre Thebault, will return.
Thebault was sharp in his statements when he left the country, saying that it was not just a submarine contract, but a military partnership with Australia.
– This was a big mistake, and a very, very bad handling of the partnership, the ambassador said.
According to the French source, Macron has not yet spoken to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. However, the French president is willing to do so “if it is prepared in a serious way”.
Greece agreement
Macron’s press conference on Tuesday took place in connection with the signing of a defense agreement with Greece.
The country will buy three frigates from France as part of a strengthened “strategic partnership”, according to the president.
The agreement was signed by Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday.
– The debate on European, strategic autonomy has begun to have real content, Mitsotakis said.
The EU will have a defense summit next year. In the first half of 2022, France will also take over the rotating presidency of the union.
Macron has also previously argued that Europe must increasingly stand on its own two feet in a defense context.
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