The Australian Prime Minister admitted Wednesday evening September 22 that French President Emmanuel Macron was making life difficult for him after the termination of a contract for submarines.
Scott Morrison, however, promises to be "
patient
" to restore relations with France.
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Speaking in Washington in the evening, Scott Morrison explained that he had tried to reach Emmanuel Macron but that the interview had "
not yet
" taken place. “
But we will be patient. We understand their disappointment
”, he assures us, a week after Australia unannounced the contract for the purchase of twelve French submarines with conventional propulsion for a value of 90 billion Australian dollars (55 Billions of Euro's). At the same time as this breach of contract, Australia had announced the acquisition of at least eight American or British nuclear-powered submarines, after months of secret negotiations, which had angered Paris.
In retaliation, France had canceled a gala evening in Washington supposed to celebrate Franco-American relations, and had recalled its ambassadors in Washington and Canberra, accusing the two countries of having struck him "
in the back
".
Read alsoCrisis of the submarines: behind the scenes of the "betrayal" of the century
While the US and French presidents tried to ease tensions in a 30-minute phone interview, described as friendly by Joe Biden, nothing of the sort was done with Morrison.
France is planning a return of its ambassador to Washington next week, but has given no date for a similar move in Canberra.
“
Australia has decided not to follow through on a very important defense contract.
And we know France is disappointed with the move, which is understandable
, said Scott Morrison.
I think it will take longer to resolve these issues than those that have been resolved between the United States and France
”.
