Sign Up
..... Connect Australia with the world.
Categories

Posted: 2022-05-27 10:03:16

French President Emmanuel Macron says he is willing to work with new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to "rebuild" the France-Australia relationship.

The two leaders spoke on the telephone on Thursday night in the wake of Mr Albanese's election victory last Saturday.

Mr Macron's office said the pair agreed to "rebuild a relationship … [of] trust" after ties were ruptured over a scrapped $90 billion submarine deal.

A statement said they would "rebuild a bilateral relationship founded on trust and respect", noting the breakdown in confidence under the Morrison government which halted an agreement to buy French submarines.

Mr Macron's office said the two sides would work together on pressing global issues, including climate change and strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

Mr Albanese took to Twitter to describe the conversation as "warm and constructive".

Loading

Ties between Paris and Canberra plummeted after Mr Morrison tore up a submarine deal with France's Naval Group last year.

He opted for US or British nuclear-powered alternatives as part of a landmark security agreement — the trilateral AUKUS alliance — with Washington and London.

The switch caused fury in Paris, with Mr Macron accusing Mr Morrison of lying about the future of the contract worth $90 billion.

France also recalled its ambassador to the US — its historic ally — in an unprecedented move.

In March, defence officials revealed the federal government could pay more than $5 billion to France to end the deal.

AFP/ABC

Posted , updated 

View More
  • 0 Comment(s)
Captcha Challenge
Reload Image
Type in the verification code above