On the 20th local time, French ambassador to the United States, Etienne, said in an interview with French media in Paris that his recall for Australia and the United States conspired to tear up the submarine contract illustrates the seriousness of the current situation. Serious concerns about bilateral relations.
Etienne also said that after returning to Paris, he had met with French President Macron and French Foreign Minister Le Drian, and jointly analyzed the current situation and considered how France will respond next. Etienne emphasized that the French side had not been informed of Australia’s hesitation on the submarine contract before, and the United States was also very aware of the importance of this contract to France in terms of industry and strategy.
Recently, in order to form a new so-called “security alliance” with the United States and Britain, Australia has torn up the 12 conventionally-powered submarine manufacturing contracts signed with France in 2016 and turned to nuclear-powered submarines in the United States. Over the past few days, this move has continued to ferment in French public opinion and triggered a strong response from French officials. On September 17, local time, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to recall the ambassadors to the United States and Australia for consultations.
It is understood that French Ambassador to the United States Etienne returned to Paris on the evening of the 18th and was received by Macron on the 19th. According to a news released by French government spokesman Atal on the 19th, Macron will have a phone conversation with US President Biden in the next few days, asking for clarification on the submarine contract incident. (Headquarters reporter Zou Heyi)Return to Sohu to see more
Editor:
Disclaimer: The opinions of this article only represent the author himself. Sohu is an information publishing platform. Sohu only provides information storage space services.
.