The US President, Joe Biden, is impatient to speak on the phone with his French ally, Emmanuel Macron, said a senior US official this Monday (20).
The official said Biden wants to talk to Macron about the way forward.
“We understand France’s position. We do not share your point of view,” he amended.
Also on Monday, French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on Sunday that “Biden has asked to speak to the President of the Republic.” [Emmanuel Macron] And there are going to be phone conversations in the next few days.”
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, highlighted this Monday that “the most fundamental principles for allies are transparency and trust and these go together. We are seeing a clear lack of transparency and loyalty,” he told a press conference. Said in the meeting. United Nations before the General Assembly of the Organization.
The President of the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen told CNN that Australia’s dealings with France in the context of the alliance with the United States and the United Kingdom are “unacceptable” and the matter requires in-depth analysis from.
Von der Leyen, referring to the cancellation of a billion-dollar submarine contract between France and Australia, said, “One of our member states was treated unacceptable. We want to know what happened and why.” “
The European Foreign Minister who is in New York for the UN General Assembly will meet to discuss the results of the new military agreement between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, called AUKUS.
“This will be the first opportunity for EU chancellors to discuss the consequences of the entire agreement, not just the difficulties between France and Australia, but the implications of the entire AUKUS coalition,” said executive spokesman Peter Stano.
Australia’s decision to scrap a contract to buy French submarines in favor of US nuclear-powered ships sparked outrage in Paris.
Macron summoned the French ambassadors in Canberra and Washington for consultations in an unprecedented move.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce assured on Monday that his country does not “need to show affinity and affection” for France as it has “thousands of Australians who have died on French soil in both World Wars or on French soil”. are protecting”.
– Meeting canceled –
The United States, Australia and the United Kingdom on Wednesday announced a strategic alliance to contain China, including the sale of US nuclear submarines to Canberra, which left the French out of the game.
In response, the meeting this week between French Defense Minister Florence Parly and his British counterpart Ben Wallace was canceled at the request of France, according to a French ministry source.
A few hours later, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson assured that “this union is not intended to be exclusive (…) it is not a matter of concern, especially to our French friends”.
Johnson further stressed that the two countries have “a very friendly relationship” of “extreme importance” and declared his country’s love for the French to “eradicate” as “impossible”.
Earlier on Sunday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison dismissed French allegations that his government lied about buying submarines.
“I do not regret Australia’s decision to put national interest first. I will never regret it,” he said.
Nuclear-powered submarines are more autonomous, with conventional propulsion (diesel and electric) provided in the contract with France.
On Saturday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the case had caused a “serious crisis”.
France signed a 56 billion euro ($67.2 billion) contract to sell 12 conventional submarines to Australia in 2016, which has been described as the “contract of the century” for its magnitude and strategic importance.
