Enlarge image
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian
Photo: Jens Schlueter / AP
According to French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, the dispute over the failed submarine deal between France and Australia is a burden on the future of NATO.
The incident weighed on the definition of the new strategic concept of the defense alliance, said Le Drian on Saturday the broadcaster France 2. He accused France's allies of "lying" and "duplicity", which had triggered a "serious crisis".
On Friday evening, France called its ambassadors from Washington and Canberra back for consultations in an extraordinary diplomatic move between allies.
The USA, Great Britain and Australia had previously announced the establishment of a new security alliance for the Indo-Pacific, whereupon Australia broke a multi-billion dollar submarine deal with France.
Instead, Australia wants to buy American nuclear submarines.
Great Britain is also a party to the agreement.
Le Drian also said President Emmanuel Macron did not speak to US President Joe Biden about the submarine issue.
More soon at Spiegel.de
nek / AFP / Reuters