Australia, the USA and Great Britain announced a new security alliance in the Indo-Pacific in 2021 without consulting France.
(Photo: IMAGO/AAP)
Sydney The government in Canberra has agreed to pay millions in compensation after the rupture over a billion-dollar submarine deal between Australia and France. Australia will pay 555 million euros to French shipbuilder Naval Group, the country’s new prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said on Saturday. The agreement will put an end to the contracts, he added.
Australia, the USA and Great Britain announced a new joint security alliance in the Indo-Pacific in 2021 without consulting their allies. According to security experts, the new alliance is aimed at countering the military threat posed by China in the Indo-Pacific.
In this context, Australia is to be given access to US technology for the construction and operation of nuclear submarines. A 56 billion euro deal on submarines between France and Australia that was believed to be safe fell through as a result. Paris reacted angrily. French President Emmanuel Macron accused then-Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison of lying, saying bilateral relations were in crisis.
“The way this decision has been handled has created enormous tension in Australia-France relations,” Albanese said. “France is a key ally, an ally we have fought alongside in two world wars, and an ally that has a significant presence in the Pacific – at a time when tensions in the Indo-Pacific region are hampering cooperation with our partners.” require.”
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>> Read here: Australia warns Pacific Islands against security deals with China
The agreement was preceded by talks with Macron, Albanese said. The PM thanked Macron for “the heartfelt way in which we are restoring a better relationship between Australia and France”.
Since taking office last month, Albanese has pledged to improve Franco-Australian relations. In a telephone call in May, Albanese and Macron agreed that they wanted to rebuild a trusting relationship between the two countries.
More: France and Australia want a trusting relationship again