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Secretary of State Anthony Brinken said that France remains an “important partner” of the United States on many issues because he tried to alleviate Paris’ anger at the security partnership between the United States, Britain and Australia that does not include the European Union. nation.
On Thursday, at a joint press conference with senior US and Australian officials, Brinken said that the US is “looking for all opportunities” to deepen cooperation with France, including in the Indo-Pacific region.
Arrived the next day Tripartite announcement The security alliance known as “AUKUS” will see the United States and Britain help produce nuclear-powered submarines for the Australian military.
“We strongly and strongly welcome European countries to play an important role in the Indo-Pacific region,” Brinken said. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with NATO, the European Union and other countries in this regard.”
The senior American diplomat emphasized the importance of the alliance between the United States and France.
He said: “Especially France, in this matter and many other things are important partners-can be traced back a long time ago, but also can look forward to the future.”
French anger
The new partnership allows France to have its own submarine deal with Australia, Smoke.
On Thursday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed that it had stopped the 2016 purchase of diesel-powered submarines designed by the French Navy Group, saying that conventional submarines were “unsuitable” for the country’s combat needs because of “accelerating Changed regional security”.
He said that this decision was not taken lightly. Morrison added: “As like-minded liberal democracies, Australia and France share a common commitment to a rules-based global order that brings stability and prosperity to the Indo-Pacific region.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Defense Minister Florence Pali stated in a joint statement that Australia’s decision “needs to raise the issue of European strategic autonomy more loudly and clearly.”
However, much of Paris’s anger was directed at Washington.
“As we face unprecedented challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, whether it is due to our values or respect for multilateralism, the decision of the United States has led to the exclusion of European allies and partners like France from the important partnership with Australia. According to the foreign statement, based on the rule of law, this shows a lack of consistency, and France can only take note of this and regret it.
Le Drian later compared the Biden administration to a predecessor led by Donald Trump. “This cruel, unilateral and unpredictable decision reminds me of many things Mr. Trump has done in the past,” he told Franceinfo Radio. “This is not done between allies.”
On Thursday, Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton said it was military officials who advised the government to seek nuclear-powered submarines for long-term capabilities.
“In the end, our decision is based on what is most in line with our national security and the general security and peace of the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
The U.S. says the agreement is not against China
China also condemned AUKUS, which appears to be trying to counter Beijing’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a press conference on Thursday: “The US-UK-Australian nuclear submarine cooperation has seriously undermined regional peace and stability, intensified the arms race, and undermined international non-proliferation efforts.” The partnership is “extremely irresponsible”.
The leaders of the United States, Britain and Australia emphasized that submarines will be powered by nuclear power rather than carrying nuclear weapons. Australia is a signatory of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
At the US-Australia joint press conference on Thursday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated that the new security partnership aims to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
“On the China issue, let me first emphasize that this agreement, this relationship is not for anyone or anyone,” Austin said.
As far as Dutton is concerned, he refuses to accept Chinese criticism. “As far as Australia’s position is concerned, this is not the first time China has seen a different outbreak,” he said. “We are a proud democracy in our region. We stand with our neighbors in the Indo-Pacific region to ensure lasting peace, and this cooperation makes it a safer region.”
Australian Foreign Minister Marys Payne said that she and Dutton discussed competition with China in their meeting with the US Foreign Minister.
“This does not mean that there are no constructive areas for engaging with China,” Payne said. “Australia continues to seek dialogue with China unconditionally.”
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