Article author:
Associated Press
Paris (AP) — Australia and France opened a "new chapter" on their relationship on Friday as the new Australian Prime Minister trying to heal the wounds from the secret submarine contract that infuriated France.
President Emmanuel Macron warmly shook hands with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese outside the French presidential residence and headed for the meeting with his arms on the backs of Australian leaders.
"Trust, respect and honesty are important," Albanige told reporters. "This is the way to approach my relationship" with France.
Paris was angry when the previous Australian government announced in September that it would cancel the A $ 90 billion ($ 62 billion) contract for a French-made diesel electric submarine. Responded to. Instead, Australia had a contract between the United States and the United Kingdom to provide submarines equipped with US nuclear technology.
France temporarily resigned from the United States and Australia, and Macron accused former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison of lying to him, but Morrison denied it.
After taking power in the May elections, the Labor Party government in Albaniji gave the French Navy group a € 555 million ($ 583 million) settlement for breaking the deal. Announced that they have agreed to pay.
"We are opening a new chapter in our relationship," Albaniji said on Friday.
Macron also seemed ready to move on, saying "I'll talk about the future" in English. He pointed to Albaniji and added, "He is not responsible for it."
Albaniji called France the "Indo-Pacific and World Power" through the overseas territories of the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. As the United States and its allies are increasingly concerned about China's growing ambitions in the region, "France's active involvement in the Indo-Pacific is important in overcoming the challenges facing our region. Will be. "
Macron also thanked Australia for sending thousands of troops to fight in France in World War I and supporting Ukraine, which is once again at war in Europe. did.
After the previous Australian Government's position on climate change has built a complex relationship with the EU, Albanige "wants to be an active part of a global solution" for Australia to fight it. Said. Albanige has promised to restore Australia's international reputation as a delay in climate change by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
