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Highlights
- France is sending its ambassador back to Canberra as it tries to redefine future relations with Australia.
- French Foreign Minister said that this step will end the programme for the future submarines.
- Paris had entirely reviewed its bilateral relationship with Canberra given that the submarine deal was included in broader strategy.
France will send its ambassador back to Australia to help redefine relations after row over a submarine contract.
French Foreign Minister Jean Yves Le Drian said that the country will send its ambassador to Canberra with two goals in mind: help redefine the future relationships with Australia and to end the programme for the procurement of submarines.
Representative Image Source: © Jirsak | Megapixl.com , Image desc – Paris Skyline with France’s flag
Paris recalled its ambassador from Australia protesting a defense pact which was negotiated between the US, Australia, and Britain, also known as AUKUS. This pact was intended to counter Chinese military power.
Under the AUKUS pact, Australia committed to buy US-designed submarines and it pulled out an existing supply deal with France. This new deal didn’t include France which had worked on the US$40 billion nuclear power submarine deal since 2016.
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This deal also allows France to replace the aging Aussie submarines, but Australia went ahead and scrapped the deal to join hands with the US.
Displeased over the decision, Jean Yve called the partnership a stab in the back and thus, fuming over Australia’s submarine deal, France cancelled the US gala event last month.
France considered its Australian partnership as cornerstone of its Indo-Pacific policy. The French officials say that they feel betrayed by Australia as the latter gave them no prior confirmation before moving ahead with its plan to scrap the 18 months earlier.
Le Drian said that Paris had entirely reviewed its bilateral relationship with Canberra given that the US$40 billion submarine deal was included in broader strategy. With a fresh beginning, the French-Australian bilateral relationships will not impact France’s determination to remain engaged in the Pacific, he said.
On the other hand, Australia said that it regretted the ambassador’s recall and values its relationship with France. The country also said that it is looking forward to remaining engaged with Paris on the issues, including the Indo-Pacific.
In a statement, Australia’s Foreign Minster – Marise Payne said that Australia has recognised the French counterpart’s comments. Australia will work with France to move forward with their relationship, she said. The return of French ambassador is a welcome step in the process, she added.
Diplomats have said in confidence that this crisis will require some strong actions from Australia that would benefit France’s interests in the region.
