Read also: USA, Australia And Great Britain Sign Security Pacts
The Australian decision to abandon the purchase of French submarines sealed in 2016 in favor of a partnership with the US and Great Britain represents an unacceptable behavior between allies and partners. The consequences touch the core of France's alliances and partnerships as well as the importance of the Indo-Pacific for Europe said Le Drian.
Australia announced the day before that it wanted to acquirenuclear-powered submarinesas part of a new security alliance with the United States and Great Britain. Thereupon France had already spoken of destroyed trust with Australia.
France loses 56 billion euros
Australia's decision to build nuclear-powered submarines with American and British support instead of conventional submarines with French help means the loss of a 56 billion euro agreement for France.
Read more: Restricted Trump's Access To Nuclear Weapons
US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously announced a new alliance which, according to security experts, is clearly directed against the military threat posed by China in the Indo-Pacific. This also includes the construction of the submarines. Biden spoke of "rapidly evolving threats". In the next 18 months, a way should be found so that Australia could get such modern submarines.
It is the first time in the history of US-French relations that Paris has called its ambassador back from Washington . A reception planned for the end of the week at the residence of the French ambassador in Washington had already been canceled in protest.
The withdrawal of ambassadors is highly unusual between allied countries. France recalled its ambassador to Turkey last year after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Macron was mentally ill.
Reactions from the USA and Australia
The US and Australia have expressed concern over France's response. The US assured that France was an important ally. "France is an important partner and our oldest ally, and we value our relationship extremely," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ned Price said in a statement. Price added that Washington hopes to continue the discussion on the issue in the coming days. There will also be diplomatic talks on this during the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week.
A spokesman for the Australian Foreign Ministry also regretted the French ambassador's short-term departure:
Australia values its relations with France. We look forward to speaking with France again on our many common issues and interests, which are based on shared values
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment