Australia defends itself and says it has been "frank" with France.
This is the idea broadcast this Sunday by the Australian Minister of Defense, as the country tore up a massive submarine purchase agreement concluded in 2016 with France.
Speaking on Sky News Australia, Peter Dutton said his government has been "outspoken, open and honest" with France over concerns about the deal, which is over budget and years behind schedule.
To read alsoAustralian submarines: the underside of the breach of the "contract of the century"
He said he understood the "annoyance of the French," but added that "the suggestions that the Australian government has not reported its concerns defy, frankly, what is on the public record and certainly what has been. said publicly for a long time ”.
“The government has had problems, we have communicated them, and we want to work very closely with the French and we will continue to do so in the future.
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A decision of "national interest"
France is furious at Australia's decision to withdraw from a 90 billion Australian dollars (56 billion euros) contract for the purchase of French submarines in favor of US nuclear-powered ships.
She recalled her ambassadors in Canberra and Washington, the Australian and American capitals, and accused her allies of "lying" about their plans.
Saturday evening, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, spoke of a “lie (…), a duplicity (…) a major breach of confidence”.
Asked about France 2, he described the situation as a "serious crisis".
He believes that this will have consequences for NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).
He also considers that Europeans must “unite and defend their own interests together”.
"I think Europe is emerging from diplomatic innocence"
▶ ️ @ JY_LeDrian, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is the guest of # JT20HWE of @LaurentDelahous.
pic.twitter.com/wbhaJqCYig
- Info France 2 (@ infofrance2) September 18, 2021
Peter Dutton said he has personally expressed his concerns to his French counterpart, Florence Parly, and stressed the "need for Australia to act in its national interest".
It consists, according to him, in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines.
"Given the changing circumstances in the Indo-Pacific region, not just now but in the years to come, we had to make a decision that was in our national interest and that is exactly what we did," he said. he added.
According to the Australian minister, Canberra was unable to buy French nuclear-powered ships because they need to be reloaded, unlike American submarines. Only the latter are therefore suitable for Australia, which is a nuclear-free country.