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Submarine dispute enters the next round: France questions NATO - "There is a crisis"

2021-09-19T10:32:16.990Z


The differences between France and the trio of Australia, USA and Great Britain continue. Now even NATO is being questioned.


The differences between France and the trio of Australia, USA and Great Britain continue.

Now even NATO is being questioned.

Paris - The submarine dispute between France, Australia, the USA and Great Britain is getting worse: The case is a burden on the future of NATO and affects the definition of the alliance's new strategic concept, said French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Saturday.

He also attacked the allies with words that were unusually sharp in diplomacy.

Australia defended its approach.

Submarine dispute: Australia surprisingly announces billion-dollar purchase of French submarines

When it comes to reassessing its strategy at its summit meeting next year, NATO must take into account the latest events, demanded Le Drian with a view to the submarine dispute.

"You also have to question the strength of the alliance with the United States," said the Secretary of State.

"In a real alliance you talk to each other and respect each other, that was not the case." What happened is a burden on NATO's new strategic concept.

Le Drian spoke of lies and a breach of trust.

“That doesn't work at all, that means there is a crisis.” Previously, the head of the NATO military committee, Rob Bauer, said that he did not expect any effects on military cooperation.

The reason for the unusually fierce dispute among allies is the establishment of a new security alliance for the Indo-Pacific between the USA, Great Britain and Australia.

This prompted the Australian government to abandon a multi-billion dollar submarine deal with France and instead buy US nuclear submarines.

The deal had previously been negotiated for years.

Paris: Foreign Minister attacks Australia - "Lie, duplicity, serious breach of trust"

Le Drian accused the allies of "lying, duplicity, a serious breach of trust and disdain" on Saturday. Australia rejected the allegations - Canberra had expressed its doubts about the planned submarine purchase to Paris "openly and honestly," said Defense Secretary Peter Dutton on Sunday. The armaments project was years behind schedule and the budget was exceeded.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Paris should have been aware of the country's "profound and serious concerns".

"We made it very clear that we would make a decision based on our strategic national interests," said Morrison in Sydney.

Paris should have known that the French submarines “would not serve our strategic interests”.

He understood the disappointment in Paris, but did not regret his decision to put Australia's interests first.

Treasury Secretary Simon Birmingham said Australia had informed France of the deal “as soon as possible before it became public”.

France: Macron has already initiated diplomatic withdrawal - dispute continues

In view of China's expansion efforts in the economically important Indo-Pacific region, Washington, London and Canberra announced their new alliance on Wednesday.

Among other things, it provides for Australia to benefit from US technology in the construction of nuclear-powered submarines and from know-how in cyber defense.

The US also wants to expand its military presence in Australia.

France also sees itself as a great power in the Indo-Pacific because of its overseas territories such as New Caledonia and French Polynesia.

Le Drian accused Canberra of "stabbing" Paris.

US President Joe Biden *, who has declared rivalry with China to be the top issue in his foreign policy, made a "brutal" decision based on the motto of his predecessor Donald Trump - "America first".

Meanwhile, France feels betrayed. As a sign of annoyance, France had recalled its ambassadors from Washington and Canberra in an extraordinary diplomatic move between allies. The move was made at the request of President Emmanuel Macron *. France had previously canceled a celebration of Franco-American friendship. The dispute continues. Exit open.

(as / afp) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-09-19

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