British Prime Minister Boris Johnson proposed resuming cooperation between France and the United Kingdom to French Head of State Emmanuel Macron on Friday, MTI reported after the French presidency spoke after leaders of the two countries discussed an issue known as the submarine scandal. the phone.
According to the Elysee Palace, in the settlement initiated by London, the British Prime Minister “expressed his intention to restore cooperation between France and the United Kingdom” in accordance with common interests and values. Reference was made here to combating climate change, the Indo-Pacific region and terrorism.
The Chair replied that he was looking forward to suggestions
Communication states. Two days before the meeting, the French President and his US counterpart Joe Biden also spoke by phone, easing tensions between Paris and Washington, and Emmanuel Macron decided that France’s ambassador to Washington would take office again next week. .
Paris recalled its ambassadors in Washington and Canberra last week because the United States, Australia and Britain – without informing France – signed a security partnership agreement called AUKUS. In this context, Australia decided to buy nuclear-powered submarines from the United States, while it terminated its contract with France for the production of diesel and electric-powered submarines. As a result, France did not reach a contract worth A$90 billion.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had not previously considered it necessary to recall the French ambassador to London because he said, “Britain is only the fifth wheel in the cart in this matter.”
We are well aware of British opportunism
– The prime minister said five days ago. Meanwhile, Paris canceled a meeting of the two countries’ defense ministers that had been scheduled for this week.
Boris Johnson also noted on Wednesday that the US-Australia-UK Security Partnership Agreement is not exclusive and “has no intention of excluding anyone”.
Bilateral relations between London and Paris have deteriorated in recent months due to a number of issues related to Britain’s exit from the European Union, including the issue of fishing vessels and the unsatisfactory arrest of illegal immigrants from the French coast to the English Channel via England.
