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Emmanuel Macron (left) and Joe Biden (archive recording)
Photo: Brendan Smialowski / AP
Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron made a phone call to try to defuse the tensions between the US and France as a result of Australia's new submarine deal.
The US President and the Elysée boss therefore agreed "in-depth consultations".
Both agreed to meet in Europe at the end of October, according to a joint statement from both governments that the White House circulated.
This should ensure "trust" between the two countries.
In addition, the recalled French ambassador to the United States will return to Washington next week.
Last week, without consulting its allies, the USA launched a security pact with Australia and Great Britain in the Indo-Pacific, thus triggering a deep diplomatic crisis with France (read more here).
The pact shattered a multi-billion dollar submarine deal between Australia and France, which led to angry reactions in Paris.
Macron had the ambassadors from the USA and Australia temporarily withdrawn - an extremely unusual measure among allies.
Biden had finally asked Macron to call him to settle the differences.
According to the information, he tried to smooth things over in the phone call with Macron.
"The two heads of state agreed that the situation would have benefited from open consultations between allies on matters of strategic interest to France and our European partners," the joint statement said.
In this regard, Biden had assured his "continuing commitment".
Accordingly, Biden also recognized the "importance" of a stronger European defense system.
He also announced that the US would expand its support for anti-terrorism missions by European countries in the Sahel region.
Details were not given in the joint declaration.
as / AFP / dpa
