Leaders of France, Australia hold first talks since subs row

PARIS, 29 October 2021, (TON): Macron reiterated that Canberra's decision to cancel a deal for conventional-powered French subs in favour of US nuclear vessels had broken the relation of trust between the two countries.

The Elysee Palace said “French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison by telephone for the first time since the diplomatic crisis over a scrapped submarine deal last month.”

Macron reiterated that Canberra's decision to cancel a deal for conventional-powered French subs in favour of US nuclear vessels "had broken the relation of trust between our two countries," his office said in a statement.

It said "it is now up to the Australian government to propose concrete actions that could embody the will of Australian authorities to redefine the bases of our relationship and pursue joint action in the Indo-Pacific region.”

Paris was furious after Australia ditched the deal last month, saying it had been given no warning that Australia was instead negotiating a new defence pact with the US and Britain.

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