France and Australia say they are ready to rebuild bilateral relations

PARIS (Reuters) – France and Australia are able to rebuild their bilateral relationship after Australians voted final week to oust a authorities that had angered Paris by ditching a submarine procurement contract between the 2 international locations.

In a press release launched on Thursday, the French presidential palace mentioned French President Emmanuel Macron had known as new Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to congratulate him on his election. The Labor Celebration chief was sworn in on Monday.

“After acknowledging the extreme breach of belief following the choice of the earlier prime minister, Scott Morrison, to terminate the submarine contracts, the French president and Australia’s prime minister have agreed to rebuild a bilateral relation primarily based on belief and respect (…),” the Elysee mentioned.

“A roadmap will probably be established to construction this new bilateral agenda (…),” the assertion added.

Final October, France accused its allies of stabbing it within the again when Australia opted for nuclear-powered submarines to be constructed with U.S. and British expertise as an alternative of a multi-billion greenback French submarine programme.

(Reporting by Benoit Van Overstraeten; Enhancing by Paul Simao)