WASHINGTON, 18 Sep. U.S. officials are in close contact with France over Paris' decision to withdraw its ambassador from Washington for consultations following the creation of the AUKUS alliance, White House National Security Council spokesman Emily Horn said. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian previously announced the recall to Paris. for the consultations of the ambassadors in the United States and Australia due to Canberra's termination of the submarine contract. As noted by radio station RTL, this is the first such case in the history of France's relations with the United States and Australia.
«We understand their (French — ed.) Position and in the coming days we will continue to participate in resolving our differences, as we have done at other times throughout the history of our long union,» Horn told reporters.
A White House spokeswoman stressed that Washington continues to regard France as its «oldest ally and one of its strongest partners.» “We share a long history of shared democratic values and a commitment to working together to tackle global challenges,” she added. This week British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, US President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a new AUKUS defense partnership. and safety. Canberra also announced its withdrawal from a submarine agreement with the French company Naval Group. The A $ 90 billion (€ 56 billion) deal, dubbed the «Contract of the Century», called for the production of 12 Barracuda-class attack submarines. Le Drian called Australia's decision «a stab in the back.» According to him, he is «angry about the termination of this contract.» Paris is awaiting clarification from both Australia and the United States.
France recalls US and Australian ambassadors for consultations over AUKUS